Fintel reports that on September 14, 2023, DA Davidson maintained coverage of United Community Banks (NASDAQ:UCBI) with a Buy recommendation.
Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 23.33% Upside
As of August 31, 2023, the average one-year price target for United Community Banks is 31.47. The forecasts range from a low of 30.30 to a high of $34.65. The average price target represents an increase of 23.33% from its latest reported closing price of 25.52.
See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside.
The projected annual revenue for United Community Banks is 1,066MM, an increase of 22.03%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 3.43.
United Community Banks Declares $0.23 Dividend
On August 21, 2023 the company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share ($0.92 annualized). Shareholders of record as of September 15, 2023 will receive the payment on October 5, 2023. Previously, the company paid $0.23 per share.
At the current share price of $25.52 / share, the stock's dividend yield is 3.61%.
Looking back five years and taking a sample every week, the average dividend yield has been 2.76%, the lowest has been 2.07%, and the highest has been 4.51%. The standard deviation of yields is 0.59 (n=235).
The current dividend yield is 1.42 standard deviations above the historical average.
Additionally, the company's dividend payout ratio is 0.38. The payout ratio tells us how much of a company's income is paid out in dividends. A payout ratio of one (1.0) means 100% of the company's income is paid in a dividend. A payout ratio greater than one means the company is dipping into savings in order to maintain its dividend - not a healthy situation. Companies with few growth prospects are expected to pay out most of their income in dividends, which typically means a payout ratio between 0.5 and 1.0. Companies with good growth prospects are expected to retain some earnings in order to invest in those growth prospects, which translates to a payout ratio of zero to 0.5.
The company's 3-Year dividend growth rate is 0.28%, demonstrating that it has increased its dividend over time.
What is the Fund Sentiment?
There are 564 funds or institutions reporting positions in United Community Banks. This is a decrease of 32 owner(s) or 5.37% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to UCBI is 0.16%, a decrease of 18.99%. Total shares owned by institutions increased in the last three months by 0.71% to 114,267K shares. 
The put/call ratio of UCBI is 0.97, indicating a bullish outlook.
What are Other Shareholders Doing?
IJR - iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF holds 8,031K shares representing 6.76% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 7,957K shares, representing an increase of 0.93%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in UCBI by 13.13% over the last quarter.
Neuberger Berman Group holds 3,897K shares representing 3.28% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 4,578K shares, representing a decrease of 17.47%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in UCBI by 42.85% over the last quarter.
VTSMX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares holds 3,428K shares representing 2.88% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 3,414K shares, representing an increase of 0.41%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in UCBI by 17.67% over the last quarter.
Earnest Partners holds 3,288K shares representing 2.77% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 3,460K shares, representing a decrease of 5.23%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in UCBI by 18.38% over the last quarter.
NAESX - Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Investor Shares holds 2,824K shares representing 2.38% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 2,860K shares, representing a decrease of 1.27%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in UCBI by 16.51% over the last quarter.
United Community Banks Background Information
(This description is provided by the company.)
United Community Banks, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia, with executive offices in Greenville, South Carolina. United is one of the largest full-service financial institutions in the Southeast, with $17.8 billion in assets, and 160 offices in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. United Community Bank, United's wholly-owned bank subsidiary, specializes in personalized community banking services for individuals, small businesses and companies throughout its geographic footprint, including Florida under the brand Seaside Bank and Trust. Services include a full range of consumer and commercial banking products, including mortgage, advisory, treasury management, and wealth management. Respected national research firms consistently recognize United for outstanding customer service. In 2020, J.D. Power ranked United highest in customer satisfaction with retail banking in the Southeast, marking six out of the last seven years United earned the coveted award. United was also named 'Best Banks to Work For' by American Banker in 2020 for the fourth year in a row based on employee satisfaction. Forbes included United in its inaugural list of the World's Best Banks in 2019 and again in 2020. Forbes also recognized United on its 2020 list of the 100 Best Banks in America for the seventh consecutive year. United also received five Greenwich Excellence Awards in 2019 for excellence in Small Business Banking and Middle Market Banking, including a national award for Overall Satisfaction in Small Business Banking.
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