Inspire Investing LLC Invests $783,000 in United Fire Group, Inc $UFCS

Inspire Investing LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Fire Group, Inc (NASDAQ:UFCS) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 26,568 shares of the insurance provider’s stock, valued at approximately $783,000. Inspire Investing LLC owned approximately 0.10% of United Fire Group as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of UFCS. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company bought a new position in shares of United Fire Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $223,000. Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in shares of United Fire Group by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 220,022 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $6,260,000 after acquiring an additional 2,648 shares in the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV bought a new position in shares of United Fire Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $217,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its stake in shares of United Fire Group by 48.5% during the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 12,622 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $359,000 after acquiring an additional 4,124 shares in the last quarter. Finally, D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. raised its stake in shares of United Fire Group by 21.3% during the 4th quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 85,639 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $2,436,000 after acquiring an additional 15,016 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.68% of the company’s stock.

United Fire Group Stock Down 1.3%

UFCS stock opened at $31.65 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $806.76 million, a PE ratio of 9.02 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a current ratio of 0.37. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $29.18 and its 200 day moving average is $28.45. United Fire Group, Inc has a one year low of $19.19 and a one year high of $32.22.

United Fire Group (NASDAQ:UFCS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The insurance provider reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.33. The company had revenue of $314.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $337.99 million. United Fire Group had a net margin of 6.94% and a return on equity of 11.84%. On average, research analysts forecast that United Fire Group, Inc will post 2.42 EPS for the current year.

United Fire Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 29th were issued a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 29th. United Fire Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.23%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of United Fire Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Jones Trading increased their price objective on shares of United Fire Group from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $30.50.

About United Fire Group

United Fire Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides property and casualty insurance for individuals and businesses in the United States. The company offers commercial and personal lines of property and casualty insurance; and reinsurance coverage for property and casualty insurance. Its commercial lines include fire and allied lines, other liability, automobile, workers’ compensation, fidelity and surety coverage, and other insurance products; and personal lines comprise automobile, and fire and allied lines coverage, including homeowners, as well as provides assumed reinsurance products.