United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB) EVP Sells $49,993.65 in Stock

United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE:UCB) EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,345 shares of United Community Banks stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.17, for a total transaction of $49,993.65. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 82,054 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,049,947.18. This represents a 1.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website.

United Community Banks Stock Down 0.7%

UCB opened at $36.49 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.92 and a beta of 0.88. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $34.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $34.03. United Community Banks, Inc. has a twelve month low of $28.65 and a twelve month high of $37.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01.

United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 20th. The company reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.77. United Community Banks had a net margin of 9.06% and a return on equity of 9.66%. The company had revenue of $291.90 million for the quarter. Equities research analysts forecast that United Community Banks, Inc. will post 3.01 earnings per share for the current year.

United Community Banks Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th were paid a dividend of $0.26 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.9%. This is a boost from United Community Banks’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. United Community Banks’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 88.14%.

Institutional Trading of United Community Banks

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Community Banks during the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Willis Investment Counsel purchased a new stake in United Community Banks in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $399,000. Barlow Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in United Community Banks by 42.0% in the 3rd quarter. Barlow Wealth Partners LLC now owns 8,546 shares of the company’s stock worth $288,000 after acquiring an additional 2,526 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in United Community Banks by 18.5% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 8,885 shares of the company’s stock worth $296,000 after acquiring an additional 1,389 shares during the period. Finally, Everhart Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in United Community Banks by 7.6% during the 3rd quarter. Everhart Financial Group Inc. now owns 27,399 shares of the company’s stock worth $914,000 after acquiring an additional 1,936 shares during the period. 82.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UCB has been the topic of a number of research reports. DA Davidson raised their price target on United Community Banks from $40.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 9th. Zacks Research upgraded United Community Banks from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 21st. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of United Community Banks in a report on Friday, September 25th. Stephens raised their target price on United Community Banks from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 21st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on United Community Banks from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $40.00.

United Community Banks Company Profile

United Community Banks, Inc is a bank holding company headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia. Through its principal subsidiary, United Community Bank, the company provides banking and financial services to consumers, businesses and communities primarily across the Southeastern United States.

United Community Bank offers deposit accounts, consumer and commercial lending, residential mortgages, credit cards, online and mobile banking, treasury management and other financial services. Its lending activities include commercial real estate, business, construction, residential and consumer loans.