Zacks Investment Management Makes New $289,000 Investment in Univest Financial Co. (NASDAQ:UVSP)

Zacks Investment Management purchased a new position in shares of Univest Financial Co. (NASDAQ:UVSP - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 9,793 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $289,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of UVSP. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Univest Financial in the third quarter valued at about $79,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in Univest Financial by 14.8% during the fourth quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 4,796 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $142,000 after purchasing an additional 617 shares during the period. Trexquant Investment LP purchased a new stake in Univest Financial in the fourth quarter worth $290,000. AlphaQuest LLC raised its stake in shares of Univest Financial by 93.1% in the fourth quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 14,571 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $430,000 after buying an additional 7,024 shares during the period. Finally, KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new position in shares of Univest Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $511,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.07% of the company's stock.

Univest Financial Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:UVSP traded up $0.94 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $29.39. 151,640 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 106,805. Univest Financial Co. has a 12 month low of $19.61 and a 12 month high of $32.75. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $28.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $29.39. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $852.37 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.35 and a beta of 0.72.

Univest Financial (NASDAQ:UVSP - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $79.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $77.65 million. Univest Financial had a net margin of 15.17% and a return on equity of 8.51%. On average, equities analysts expect that Univest Financial Co. will post 2.36 earnings per share for the current year.

Univest Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 7th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 7th. This is a boost from Univest Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. Univest Financial's payout ratio is currently 32.43%.

Insider Transactions at Univest Financial

In related news, Director Anne Vazquez acquired 1,250 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $28.63 per share, with a total value of $35,787.50. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 6,250 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $178,937.50. The trade was a 25.00 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.70% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Stephens reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and set a $31.00 price objective on shares of Univest Financial in a report on Thursday, January 23rd.

About Univest Financial

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.