United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UCB) Receives Consensus Recommendation of "Hold" from Analysts

Key Points

• United Community Banks, Inc. has received a consensus recommendation of "Hold" from seven research firms, with analysts issuing four hold ratings and three buy ratings.
• The company reported quarterly earnings of $0.66 per share, exceeding analysts' estimates, with a year-over-year revenue increase of 6.1%.
• United Community Banks recently announced a dividend increase to $0.25 per share, up from the previous $0.24, representing a 3.1% dividend yield.

United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UCB - Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of "Hold" from the seven ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $34.5714.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Raymond James Financial reissued a "market perform" rating on shares of United Community Banks in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on United Community Banks from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Monday, July 28th. DA Davidson upped their price objective on shares of United Community Banks from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Finally, Hovde Group lifted their target price on shares of United Community Banks from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th.

United Community Banks Stock Down 0.7%

United Community Banks stock traded down $0.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $32.16. The stock had a trading volume of 1,728,159 shares, compared to its average volume of 701,752. United Community Banks has a fifty-two week low of $22.93 and a fifty-two week high of $35.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.91 billion, a PE ratio of 15.77 and a beta of 0.86. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $31.70 and its 200-day simple moving average is $29.40. 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 (NASDAQ:UCB - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.05. United Community Banks had a return on equity of 8.64% and a net margin of 16.48%.United Community Banks's revenue was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that United Community Banks will post 2.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Community Banks Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. This is an increase from United Community Banks's previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. United Community Banks's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.45%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,616 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.94, for a total transaction of $49,999.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 78,395 shares in the company, valued at $2,425,541.30. The trade was a 2.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.43% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Community Banks

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UCB. State of Wyoming grew its holdings in shares of United Community Banks by 9.4% in the first quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 4,010 shares of the company's stock worth $113,000 after purchasing an additional 344 shares during the last quarter. Xponance Inc. grew its holdings in United Community Banks by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 9,094 shares of the company's stock worth $256,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank increased its position in shares of United Community Banks by 1.6% in the second quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 34,550 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,029,000 after acquiring an additional 534 shares during the period. Great Lakes Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of United Community Banks by 0.6% during the first quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 94,983 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,672,000 after acquiring an additional 584 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of United Community Banks by 1.1% during the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 56,800 shares of the company's stock worth $1,692,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. 82.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.