United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB) Raised to Strong-Buy at Zacks Research

United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB) was upgraded by research analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report issued on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on UCB. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on United Community Banks from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Thursday. Stephens upped their target price on United Community Banks from $37.00 to $39.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday. DA Davidson upped their target price on United Community Banks from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of United Community Banks in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $37.00.

United Community Banks Stock Down 0.2%

NYSE UCB opened at $33.85 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.97 and a beta of 0.83. United Community Banks has a 52 week low of $22.93 and a 52 week high of $34.57. The company has a fifty day moving average of $31.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $31.39. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03.

United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 14th. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.73 by ($0.02). United Community Banks had a return on equity of 9.49% and a net margin of 21.35%.The firm had revenue of $278.39 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $273.80 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.61 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis.

United Community Banks announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Monday, December 8th that permits the company to repurchase $100.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 2.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,654 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.23, for a total transaction of $50,000.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 75,226 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,274,081.98. This trade represents a 2.15% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.43% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of United Community Banks

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in United Community Banks in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United Community Banks by 213.8% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,048 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 714 shares during the period. Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Community Banks during the third quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of United Community Banks by 130.9% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,951 shares of the company’s stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 1,106 shares in the last quarter. 82.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

More United Community Banks News

Here are the key news stories impacting United Community Banks this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks added UCB to multiple Rank #1 (Strong Buy) lists today — momentum, new strong-buy additions, and income stock picks — which can attract buy-side inflows and momentum traders. Best Momentum Stocks to Buy for Jan. 16
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks also listed UCB among its “New Strong Buy Stocks” and its “Best Income Stocks” for Jan. 16 — more third‑party buy signals that can support demand for the shares. New Strong Buy Stocks for January 16th
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised forecasts after Q4 results, indicating adjustments to estimates that may support higher valuations going forward. United Community Banks Analysts Increase Their Forecasts Following Q4 Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised its price target to $36 (market‑perform), signaling modest upside from current levels and providing a reference for investors. Benzinga
• Neutral Sentiment: The company released Q4 figures and an earnings-call recap noting strong revenue growth but EPS roughly in line / slightly below expectations — mixed fundamentals that explain both selling and analyst support. United Community Banks Inc (UCB) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage note: Raymond James kept a “hold” on UCB, which may temper upside from some investors awaiting clearer catalysts. Raymond James Remains a Hold on United Community Banks (UCB)
• Neutral Sentiment: Market pieces are assessing UCB’s valuation as trading near analyst fair-value estimates, suggesting limited near-term upside unless growth/outlook improves. Assessing United Community Banks (UCB) Valuation
• Neutral Sentiment: Discussion of UCB as a dividend/growth dividend candidate — useful for income investors but less likely to move the stock quickly. Are You Looking for a High-Growth Dividend Stock?
• Negative Sentiment: Shares gapped down after the earnings release, cited as “weak” by market reports — that immediate selloff is the main reason for today’s price decline. United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB) Shares Gap Down Following Weak Earnings

United Community Banks Company Profile

United Community Banks, Inc (NYSE: UCB) is a bank holding company headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia. It operates primarily through its subsidiary, United Community Bank, providing a broad range of banking and financial services to individual, business and governmental customers. The company’s core offerings include deposit accounts, commercial and consumer lending, mortgage origination, treasury and cash management services, and wealth management.

In addition to traditional banking products such as checking, savings and money market accounts, United Community Bank specializes in commercial real estate financing, small business administration (SBA) loans, equipment financing and agricultural lending.