Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC) Stock: Insider Thomas Apel Purchases 2,000 Shares

Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE:STC) Director Thomas Apel purchased 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 23rd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $47.73 per share, with a total value of $95,460.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 46,182 shares in the company, valued at $2,204,266.86. The trade was a 4.53% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link.

Stewart Information Services Price Performance

Shares of Stewart Information Services stock opened at $43.47 on Wednesday. Stewart Information Services Corporation has a 12-month low of $42.73 and a 12-month high of $78.61. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $59.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.07.

Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 21st. The insurance provider reported $1.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.17). The business had revenue of $900.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $903.67 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.64 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Stewart Information Services Corporation will post 4.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Stewart Information Services Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th were issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.1%. This is a boost from Stewart Information Services’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.5250.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Stewart Information Services

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its holdings in Stewart Information Services by 2.4% in the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 8,417 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $556,000 after buying an additional 198 shares during the period. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System boosted its position in Stewart Information Services by 7.0% during the 1st quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 4,378 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $270,000 after acquiring an additional 287 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund boosted its position in Stewart Information Services by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 16,116 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $992,000 after acquiring an additional 308 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its holdings in shares of Stewart Information Services by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 13,253 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $816,000 after acquiring an additional 359 shares during the period. Finally, Caitlin John LLC purchased a new position in shares of Stewart Information Services during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.90% of the company’s stock.

Stewart Information Services News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Stewart Information Services this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Insider buying is the clearest positive catalyst. CEO Frederick Eppinger purchased 3,000 shares for approximately $133,350, while directors Deborah Jane Matz, Clifford Bradley Jr., William S. Corey Jr. and Thomas G. Apel collectively bought 7,000 shares. These purchases, made at prices ranging from $43.91 to $47.73, may signal that company insiders view STC as undervalued after its recent decline. CEO SEC filing Director SEC filing
• Positive Sentiment: Stephens maintained an “overweight” rating despite lowering its price target from $80 to $70. The revised target remains materially above recent trading levels, suggesting the analyst still sees substantial potential upside. Stephens analyst report
• Positive Sentiment: Stewart’s quarterly dividend was increased to $0.55 per share from $0.525, equating to a $2.20 annualized payout and a yield of approximately 5.1% at recent prices. The higher income return may help support valuation-oriented investors.
• Neutral Sentiment: Dowling & Partners issued a fiscal 2027 earnings estimate, but the available information does not disclose the forecast or indicate whether expectations changed. Fiscal 2027 earnings estimate
• Negative Sentiment: Recent quarterly results remain an overhang. Stewart reported EPS of $1.33 versus the $1.50 consensus estimate, while revenue of $900.7 million was slightly below expectations and EPS declined from $1.64 a year earlier.
• Negative Sentiment: The stock remains close to its 52-week low and well below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, reflecting continued investor concern about near-term earnings and real-estate transaction conditions. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with a consensus rating of “Hold.”

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have weighed in on STC. Citizens Jmp dropped their price objective on Stewart Information Services from $80.00 to $75.00 and set a “market outperform” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 12th. Zacks Research lowered Stewart Information Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 22nd. Stephens reduced their target price on Stewart Information Services from $80.00 to $70.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Weiss Ratings downgraded Stewart Information Services from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Monday, October 19th. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating on shares of Stewart Information Services in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Stewart Information Services has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $75.75.

Stewart Information Services Company Profile

Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE: STC) is a global provider of title insurance and real estate transaction services. Through its Stewart Title operations, the company helps protect property owners, lenders and other participants from losses arising from defects in a property’s title.

The company offers title searches and examinations, title insurance policies, escrow and closing services, settlement services, and related solutions for residential and commercial real estate transactions.