Renaissance Technologies LLC Trims Stake in Univest Financial Co. (NASDAQ:UVSP)

Renaissance Technologies LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Univest Financial Co. (NASDAQ:UVSP - Free Report) by 3.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 628,689 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 22,200 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned about 2.16% of Univest Financial worth $18,553,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in Univest Financial by 91.3% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 66,603 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,875,000 after purchasing an additional 31,783 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in shares of Univest Financial by 64.4% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 103,531 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $2,913,000 after purchasing an additional 40,545 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Univest Financial by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 704,445 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $19,826,000 after buying an additional 23,770 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in Univest Financial in the fourth quarter valued at about $2,299,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of Univest Financial by 12.7% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 632,354 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $18,661,000 after buying an additional 71,265 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.07% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Anne Vazquez purchased 1,250 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $28.63 per share, with a total value of $35,787.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,250 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $178,937.50. This trade represents a 25.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 1.70% of the company's stock.

Univest Financial Stock Performance

NASDAQ UVSP traded up $0.36 during trading on Friday, reaching $27.24. 156,754 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 105,970. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $790.01 million, a P/E ratio of 10.52 and a beta of 0.72. Univest Financial Co. has a fifty-two week low of $18.42 and a fifty-two week high of $32.75. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $28.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $29.37.

Univest Financial (NASDAQ:UVSP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 22nd. The financial services provider reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.08. Univest Financial had a net margin of 15.17% and a return on equity of 8.51%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Univest Financial Co. will post 2.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Univest Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 5th were paid a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.08%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 5th. Univest Financial's payout ratio is 32.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Stephens reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and issued a $31.00 price target on shares of Univest Financial in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd.

Univest Financial Profile

Univest Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Univest Bank and Trust Co that provides banking products and services primarily in the United States. It operates through three segments: Banking, Wealth Management, and Insurance. The Banking segment offers a range of banking services, such as deposit taking, loan origination and servicing, mortgage banking, other general banking, and equipment lease financing services for individuals, businesses, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations.