Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC) Reaches New 52-Week Low - Should You Sell?

Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE:STC - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $56.77 and last traded at $56.87, with a volume of 766983 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $59.88.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

STC has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded Stewart Information Services from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on shares of Stewart Information Services from $75.00 to $72.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 10th.

Stewart Information Services Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 1.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company has a market capitalization of $1.64 billion, a PE ratio of 22.53 and a beta of 0.99. The firm's 50-day moving average is $62.76 and its 200-day moving average is $65.60.

Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The insurance provider reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.34 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $608.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $595.50 million. Stewart Information Services had a return on equity of 6.92% and a net margin of 2.88%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 10.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.17 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Stewart Information Services Corporation will post 6.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Stewart Information Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Monday, June 16th were paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.41%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 16th. Stewart Information Services's payout ratio is currently 76.92%.

Insider Transactions at Stewart Information Services

In related news, Director C Allen Bradley, Jr. purchased 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 28th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $59.63 per share, with a total value of $59,630.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 20,243 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,207,090.09. This represents a 5.20% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Stewart Information Services

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Sterling Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Stewart Information Services by 807.4% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 853 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 759 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Stewart Information Services by 2,735.8% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,503 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $98,000 after purchasing an additional 1,450 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming increased its stake in shares of Stewart Information Services by 84.0% during the fourth quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 1,461 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $99,000 after purchasing an additional 667 shares in the last quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Stewart Information Services by 6.4% during the fourth quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 2,831 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $191,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vident Advisory LLC increased its stake in shares of Stewart Information Services by 7.5% during the fourth quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 2,982 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $201,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. 96.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.