United Community Banks (NASDAQ:UCB) Trading 4.1% Higher - What's Next?

Shares of United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UCB - Get Free Report) were up 4.1% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $24.84 and last traded at $24.80. Approximately 201,551 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 69% from the average daily volume of 659,206 shares. The stock had previously closed at $23.83.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Piper Sandler raised their target price on United Community Banks from $32.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Hovde Group raised United Community Banks from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $32.00 to $31.00 in a research report on Monday, April 7th.

United Community Banks Trading Up 0.4 %

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $28.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $30.59. The stock has a market cap of $2.95 billion, a PE ratio of 12.13 and a beta of 0.80. 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 Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 4th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th were issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.88%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. United Community Banks's payout ratio is 47.06%.

Insider Activity at United Community Banks

In other news, EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,527 shares of United Community Banks stock in a transaction on Monday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.72, for a total transaction of $49,963.44. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 67,876 shares in the company, valued at $2,220,902.72. This trade represents a 2.20 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO H Lynn Harton sold 31,679 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.84, for a total value of $1,072,017.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 112,444 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,805,104.96. This trade represents a 21.98 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.54% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of United Community Banks

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of United Community Banks during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new stake in United Community Banks during the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio bought a new stake in United Community Banks during the 4th quarter worth approximately $42,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC purchased a new position in United Community Banks during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB bought a new position in shares of United Community Banks in the first quarter worth approximately $45,000. Institutional investors own 82.29% of the company's stock.

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.