Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust Lowers Position in Stewart Information Services Co. (NYSE:STC)

Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust cut its holdings in shares of Stewart Information Services Co. (NYSE:STC - Free Report) by 18.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 41,225 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 9,214 shares during the period. Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust owned approximately 0.15% of Stewart Information Services worth $2,782,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Stewart Information Services by 310.9% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 452 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 342 shares during the last quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Stewart Information Services by 807.4% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 853 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 759 shares in the last quarter. KBC Group NV raised its position in Stewart Information Services by 58.7% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,546 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $104,000 after buying an additional 572 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in Stewart Information Services by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,434 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $182,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Summit Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Stewart Information Services by 6.4% during the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 2,831 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $191,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.90% of the company's stock.

Stewart Information Services Stock Performance

NYSE STC traded up $1.85 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $66.91. 115,886 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 168,240. The company has a quick ratio of 1.94, a current ratio of 1.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.73 and a beta of 1.05. Stewart Information Services Co. has a 1 year low of $58.61 and a 1 year high of $78.44. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $68.35 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.95.

Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The insurance provider reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.34 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $608.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $595.50 million. Stewart Information Services had a return on equity of 6.81% and a net margin of 2.94%. The company's revenue was up 10.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.17 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Stewart Information Services Co. will post 6.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Stewart Information Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th were paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 17th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.99%. Stewart Information Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 76.92%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on STC. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $82.00 price target on shares of Stewart Information Services in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Stewart Information Services from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on Stewart Information Services from $74.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th.

Stewart Information Services Company Profile

Stewart Information Services Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides title insurance and real estate transaction related services in the United States and internationally. The company involves in searching, examining, closing, and insuring the condition of the title to real property. It also offers home and personal insurance services; services for tax-deferred exchanges; and digital customer engagement platform services.