Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC) Stock: Insider Deborah Jane Matz Buys 1,000 Shares

Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE:STC) Director Deborah Jane Matz purchased 1,000 shares of Stewart Information Services stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 23rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $43.91 per share, with a total value of $43,910.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 1,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,910. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Stewart Information Services Trading Up 1.5%

Stewart Information Services stock opened at $44.14 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $59.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $64.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 1.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.35 billion, a PE ratio of 11.06 and a beta of 1.04. Stewart Information Services Corporation has a 12-month low of $42.66 and a 12-month high of $78.61.

Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 21st. The insurance provider reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.17). The firm had revenue of $900.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $903.67 million. Stewart Information Services had a return on equity of 9.39% and a net margin of 3.58%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.64 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Stewart Information Services Corporation will post 4.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Stewart Information Services Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th were given a dividend of $0.55 per share. This is a boost from Stewart Information Services’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.5250. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.0%. Stewart Information Services’s payout ratio is 55.14%.

Institutional Trading of Stewart Information Services

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new stake in Stewart Information Services during the second quarter worth approximately $10,991,000. Deutsche Bank AG acquired a new position in Stewart Information Services in the second quarter worth approximately $2,191,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company bought a new position in shares of Stewart Information Services in the second quarter valued at $987,000. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of Stewart Information Services in the second quarter valued at $347,274,000. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC bought a new position in shares of Stewart Information Services in the second quarter valued at $8,211,000. 96.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Benchmark initiated coverage on Stewart Information Services in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $87.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating on shares of Stewart Information Services in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered Stewart Information Services from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $77.00 to $71.00 in a report on Monday, July 27th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Stewart Information Services from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Monday, October 19th. Finally, Citizens Jmp cut their price target on shares of Stewart Information Services from $80.00 to $75.00 and set a “market outperform” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 12th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $75.75.

Stewart Information Services News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Stewart Information Services this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company insiders made a series of open-market purchases. CEO Frederick Eppinger bought 3,000 shares for approximately $133,350, while directors Deborah Jane Matz, William S. Corey Jr., Clifford Bradley Jr. and Thomas G. Apel collectively purchased 7,000 shares. The transactions occurred at prices between $43.91 and $47.73, potentially signaling that management and directors view STC as undervalued after its decline. Stewart insider buying report
• Positive Sentiment: Stewart’s quarterly dividend was increased to $0.55 per share from $0.525, providing an annualized payout of $2.20 and a yield of roughly 5.1% at recent prices. The higher dividend may attract income-focused investors.
• Neutral Sentiment: Stephens maintained an “overweight” rating but lowered its price target from $80 to $70. The target reduction reflects a more cautious outlook, although it remains well above recent trading levels and implies meaningful potential upside. Stephens forecast report
• Negative Sentiment: Recent quarterly results were below expectations. Stewart reported earnings of $1.33 per share versus the $1.50 consensus estimate, while revenue of $900.7 million was slightly below forecasts. EPS also fell from $1.64 in the prior-year quarter, raising concerns about near-term profitability.
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains mixed: Zacks downgraded the stock to “strong sell,” while the broader consensus rating is “Hold.” The shares are trading far below their moving averages, indicating that investors continue to discount weaker real-estate transaction and earnings conditions.

About Stewart Information Services

Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE: STC) is a global provider of title insurance and real estate transaction services. Through its Stewart Title operations, the company helps protect property owners, lenders and other participants from losses arising from defects in a property’s title.

The company offers title searches and examinations, title insurance policies, escrow and closing services, settlement services, and related solutions for residential and commercial real estate transactions.