Emerald Advisers LLC Has $4.84 Million Holdings in Stewart Information Services Co. (NYSE:STC)

Emerald Advisers LLC grew its holdings in shares of Stewart Information Services Co. (NYSE:STC) by 0.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 71,695 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 377 shares during the period. Emerald Advisers LLC owned about 0.26% of Stewart Information Services worth $4,839,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in STC. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Stewart Information Services by 310.9% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 452 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 342 shares in the last quarter. KBC Group NV lifted its holdings in shares of Stewart Information Services by 58.7% during the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,546 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $104,000 after acquiring an additional 572 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Stewart Information Services by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,434 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $182,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares during the period. Atria Investments Inc bought a new stake in shares of Stewart Information Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $207,000. Finally, Heritage Family Offices LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Stewart Information Services by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. Heritage Family Offices LLP now owns 3,530 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $238,000 after acquiring an additional 296 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.90% of the company’s stock.

Stewart Information Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:STC opened at $70.27 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $1.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.03 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.86 and a quick ratio of 1.94. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $67.60 and a 200 day simple moving average of $70.03. Stewart Information Services Co. has a one year low of $58.23 and a one year high of $78.44.

Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $1.12 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.11 by $0.01. Stewart Information Services had a net margin of 2.94% and a return on equity of 6.81%. Research analysts predict that Stewart Information Services Co. will post 6.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Stewart Information Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be given a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.85%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. Stewart Information Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 76.92%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on STC shares. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $82.00 price target on shares of Stewart Information Services in a report on Thursday, February 6th. StockNews.com raised shares of Stewart Information Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, March 6th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of Stewart Information Services from $74.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Friday, February 7th.

Stewart Information Services Profile

Stewart Information Services Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides title insurance and real estate transaction related services in the United States and internationally. The company involves in searching, examining, closing, and insuring the condition of the title to real property. It also offers home and personal insurance services; services for tax-deferred exchanges; and digital customer engagement platform services.