Foundry Partners LLC Has $4.27 Million Position in United Fire Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:UFCS)

Foundry Partners LLC decreased its holdings in United Fire Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:UFCS - Free Report) by 15.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 150,130 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 28,025 shares during the quarter. Foundry Partners LLC owned 0.59% of United Fire Group worth $4,271,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in United Fire Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in shares of United Fire Group by 576.4% in the 3rd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 5,411 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $113,000 after buying an additional 4,611 shares in the last quarter. Globeflex Capital L P acquired a new stake in shares of United Fire Group in the fourth quarter valued at $119,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in United Fire Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $131,000. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. grew its holdings in United Fire Group by 82.3% during the third quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. now owns 6,864 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $144,000 after acquiring an additional 3,098 shares during the period. 62.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other United Fire Group news, Director Christopher R. Drahozal sold 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.33, for a total value of $70,825.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 441,863 shares of the company's stock, valued at $12,517,978.79. This trade represents a 0.56 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director James Noyce purchased 2,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $26.97 per share, with a total value of $53,940.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 27,316 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $736,712.52. The trade was a 7.90 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 5.99% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on shares of United Fire Group from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Jones Trading upgraded shares of United Fire Group to a "strong-buy" rating and set a $32.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, StockNews.com raised United Fire Group from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th.

United Fire Group Price Performance

UFCS traded down $0.48 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $26.16. 24,274 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 124,872. The company has a market cap of $663.84 million, a PE ratio of 10.92 and a beta of 0.33. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $27.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $26.05. United Fire Group, Inc. has a one year low of $18.04 and a one year high of $31.70.

United Fire Group (NASDAQ:UFCS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The insurance provider reported $1.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.64. United Fire Group had a net margin of 4.94% and a return on equity of 8.84%. On average, research analysts expect 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, March 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th were issued a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.45%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 7th. United Fire Group's dividend payout ratio is 26.89%.

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.