Key Points
- Director Deborah Jane Matz bought 1,000 STC shares at an average price of $43.91, adding $43,910 to her holdings. The purchase follows additional insider buying by the CEO and other directors, potentially signaling that insiders view the stock as undervalued.
- Stewart Information Services reported quarterly EPS of $1.33, below the $1.50 analyst consensus, while revenue of $900.7 million also slightly missed expectations. The stock remains near its 52-week low and below its key moving averages.
- The company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.55 per share, equating to a $2.20 annualized payout and an approximately 5.1% yield. Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with a consensus rating of “Hold” despite a $75.75 consensus price target.
Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE:STC - Get Free Report) Director Deborah Jane Matz bought 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $43.91 per share, for a total transaction of $43,910.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 1,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at $43,910. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link.
Stewart Information Services Stock Up 1.2%
Shares of STC opened at $43.47 on Wednesday. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $59.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.07. Stewart Information Services Corporation has a 12 month low of $42.73 and a 12 month high of $78.61.
Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 21st. The insurance provider reported $1.33 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.17). The business had revenue of $900.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $903.67 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.64 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Stewart Information Services Corporation will post 4.89 earnings per share for the current year.
Stewart Information Services Increases Dividend
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th were given a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.1%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 15th. This is a positive change from Stewart Information Services's previous quarterly dividend of $0.5250.
Key Headlines Impacting Stewart Information Services
Here are the key news stories impacting Stewart Information Services this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Insider buying is the clearest positive catalyst. CEO Frederick Eppinger purchased 3,000 shares for approximately $133,350, while directors Deborah Jane Matz, Clifford Bradley Jr., William S. Corey Jr. and Thomas G. Apel collectively bought 7,000 shares. These purchases, made at prices ranging from $43.91 to $47.73, may signal that company insiders view STC as undervalued after its recent decline. CEO SEC filing Director SEC filing
- Positive Sentiment: Stephens maintained an “overweight” rating despite lowering its price target from $80 to $70. The revised target remains materially above recent trading levels, suggesting the analyst still sees substantial potential upside. Stephens analyst report
- Positive Sentiment: Stewart’s quarterly dividend was increased to $0.55 per share from $0.525, equating to a $2.20 annualized payout and a yield of approximately 5.1% at recent prices. The higher income return may help support valuation-oriented investors.
- Neutral Sentiment: Dowling & Partners issued a fiscal 2027 earnings estimate, but the available information does not disclose the forecast or indicate whether expectations changed. Fiscal 2027 earnings estimate
- Negative Sentiment: Recent quarterly results remain an overhang. Stewart reported EPS of $1.33 versus the $1.50 consensus estimate, while revenue of $900.7 million was slightly below expectations and EPS declined from $1.64 a year earlier.
- Negative Sentiment: The stock remains close to its 52-week low and well below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, reflecting continued investor concern about near-term earnings and real-estate transaction conditions. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with a consensus rating of “Hold.”
Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings downgraded Stewart Information Services from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Monday, October 19th. Wall Street Zen lowered Stewart Information Services from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, July 25th. Stephens cut their price target on Stewart Information Services from $80.00 to $70.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Stewart Information Services from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 22nd. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating on shares of Stewart Information Services in a research report on Monday, October 12th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $75.75.
View Our Latest Research Report on Stewart Information Services
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Stewart Information Services
Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of STC. Caitlin John LLC acquired a new position in shares of Stewart Information Services during the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new position in shares of Stewart Information Services during the 2nd quarter worth about $42,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio bought a new position in shares of Stewart Information Services during the 2nd quarter worth about $67,000. Kings Path Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Stewart Information Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $52,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in shares of Stewart Information Services by 93.6% in the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,152 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 557 shares during the period. 96.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Stewart Information Services Company Profile
(
Get Free Report)
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.
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