United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB) EVP Sells $50,000.42 in Stock

United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE:UCB) EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,654 shares of United Community Banks stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 75,226 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,274,081.98. This trade represents a 2.15% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

United Community Banks Stock Performance

UCB opened at $29.20 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.80. United Community Banks, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $22.93 and a fifty-two week high of $35.38. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $31.69. The stock has a market cap of $3.55 billion, a PE ratio of 11.59 and a beta of 0.83.

United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.70 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $276.85 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $270.85 million. United Community Banks had a net margin of 20.67% and a return on equity of 9.42%. United Community Banks’s revenue for the quarter was up 27.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.57 EPS.

United Community Banks Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th were paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 15th. This is an increase from United Community Banks’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. United Community Banks’s dividend payout ratio is presently 39.68%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on UCB. DA Davidson boosted their price target on shares of United Community Banks from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Raymond James Financial cut shares of United Community Banks from a “moderate buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Hovde Group boosted their price target on shares of United Community Banks from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of United Community Banks from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, July 26th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of United Community Banks in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Community Banks presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $35.33.

Institutional Trading of United Community Banks

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UCB. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Quarry LP bought a new position in United Community Banks during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. First Horizon Corp bought a new position in United Community Banks during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in United Community Banks by 213.8% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,048 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 714 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new position in United Community Banks during the 3rd quarter valued at about $37,000. 82.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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. The company accepts various deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, and other deposit accounts.