Univest Financial (NASDAQ:UVSP) Shares Cross Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Univest Financial Co. (NASDAQ:UVSP - Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $28.75 and traded as high as $31.09. Univest Financial shares last traded at $30.80, with a volume of 87,286 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on UVSP. Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of Univest Financial from $24.00 to $27.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Stephens reiterated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $31.00 target price on shares of Univest Financial in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd.

Univest Financial Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The stock has a market cap of $868.30 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.54 and a beta of 0.89. The company's 50-day moving average is $30.34 and its 200-day moving average is $28.82.

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

Univest Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 5th. Univest Financial's payout ratio is 32.43%.

Institutional Trading of Univest Financial

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UVSP. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in Univest Financial in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its position in Univest Financial by 2,713.5% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 1,463 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,411 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in Univest Financial in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $79,000. CWM LLC raised its position in Univest Financial by 66.1% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,196 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $174,000 after purchasing an additional 2,465 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Centiva Capital LP bought a new position in Univest Financial in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $209,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.07% of the company's stock.

Univest Financial Company 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.