Univest Financial (NASDAQ:UVSP) Reaches New 52-Week High at $23.10

Univest Financial Co. (NASDAQ:UVSP - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $23.10 and last traded at $23.03, with a volume of 17521 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.80.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on shares of Univest Financial from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated a "market perform" rating and set a $23.00 target price (up from $22.00) on shares of Univest Financial in a report on Friday, April 26th.

Univest Financial Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $671.16 million, a P/E ratio of 9.59 and a beta of 0.87. The business has a fifty day moving average of $20.49 and a 200 day moving average of $20.21. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.

Univest Financial (NASDAQ:UVSP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $77.06 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $71.40 million. Univest Financial had a net margin of 14.98% and a return on equity of 8.35%. On average, equities analysts predict that Univest Financial Co. will post 2.11 EPS for the current year.

Univest Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 8th will be given a dividend of $0.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 7th. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.66%. Univest Financial's payout ratio is 35.15%.

Insider Transactions at Univest Financial

In related news, CEO Jeffrey M. Schweitzer sold 9,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.55, for a total value of $202,950.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 90,187 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,033,716.85. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 2.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Univest Financial

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Univest Financial by 2,103.8% during the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 1,146 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,094 shares during the last quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Univest Financial by 1,787.7% in the fourth quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 1,227 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 1,162 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Univest Financial by 27.1% in the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 5,597 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $123,000 after acquiring an additional 1,194 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its holdings in shares of Univest Financial by 15.7% during the third quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 12,188 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $212,000 after acquiring an additional 1,650 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Swiss National Bank raised its position in shares of Univest Financial by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 64,778 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,126,000 after purchasing an additional 1,700 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.07% of the company's stock.

About Univest Financial

Univest Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Univest Bank and Trust Co that provides banking products and services primarily in the United States. It operates through three segments: Banking, Wealth Management, and Insurance. The Banking segment offers a range of banking services, such as deposit taking, loan origination and servicing, mortgage banking, other general banking, and equipment lease financing services for individuals, businesses, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations.