Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Takes Position in United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UCB)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UCB - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 126,923 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,570,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.11% of United Community Banks as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in UCB. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the first quarter valued at $37,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the fourth quarter valued at $42,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the fourth quarter valued at $45,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the first quarter valued at $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.29% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,616 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.94, for a total transaction of $49,999.04. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 78,395 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,425,541.30. This represents a 2.02% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.43% of the company's stock.

United Community Banks Stock Down 2.6%

United Community Banks stock traded down $0.81 during trading on Friday, reaching $29.69. 123,660 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 726,577. The company's 50-day moving average is $29.96 and its two-hundred day moving average is $29.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 0.78. United Community Banks, Inc. has a 52-week low of $22.93 and a 52-week high of $35.38. The firm has a market cap of $3.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.54 and a beta of 0.78.

United Community Banks (NASDAQ:UCB - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The company reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.05. United Community Banks had a net margin of 16.48% and a return on equity of 8.64%. The company's revenue was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that United Community Banks, Inc. will post 2.52 earnings per share for the current year.

United Community Banks Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 3rd. Investors of record on Sunday, June 15th were given a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 13th. United Community Banks's dividend payout ratio is 43.64%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $36.00 price objective on shares of United Community Banks in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of United Community Banks from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Monday. DA Davidson boosted their price objective on shares of United Community Banks from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Hovde Group boosted their price objective on shares of United Community Banks from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued a "market perform" rating on shares of United Community Banks in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $34.57.

About United Community Banks

United Community Banks, Inc operates as the financial holding company for United Community Bank that provides financial products and services to commercial, retail, government, education, energy, health care, and real estate sectors. It accepts various deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, and other deposit accounts.