Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC) Stock Moved Down to Strong Sell by Zacks Research

Zacks Research downgraded shares of Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report released on Thursday morning,Zacks reports.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on STC. Weiss Ratings downgraded Stewart Information Services from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Monday. Citigroup reissued a “market outperform” rating on shares of Stewart Information Services in a report on Monday, October 12th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded Stewart Information Services from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $77.00 to $71.00 in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Citizens Jmp reduced their price objective on Stewart Information Services from $80.00 to $75.00 and set a “market outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Finally, Benchmark initiated coverage on Stewart Information Services in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $87.00 price objective on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $80.25.

Stewart Information Services Stock Performance

NYSE:STC opened at $44.01 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $60.69 and a 200-day moving average price of $64.99. The company has a market cap of $1.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.03 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.98 and a current ratio of 1.85. Stewart Information Services has a fifty-two week low of $43.48 and a fifty-two week high of $78.61.

Stewart Information Services (NYSE:STC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 21st. The insurance provider reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by ($0.17). The company had revenue of $900.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $903.67 million. Stewart Information Services had a net margin of 3.58% and a return on equity of 9.39%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.64 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Stewart Information Services 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 issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.0%. This is an increase from Stewart Information Services’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.5250. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 15th. Stewart Information Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.25%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Brian Glaze sold 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.16, for a total value of $103,740.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 11,784 shares in the company, valued at $814,981.44. This trade represents a 11.29% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 2.94% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Stewart Information Services

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in STC. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its stake in Stewart Information Services by 2.4% during the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 8,417 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $556,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System grew its holdings in Stewart Information Services by 7.0% in the first quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 4,378 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $270,000 after purchasing an additional 287 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund grew its holdings in Stewart Information Services by 1.9% in the first quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 16,116 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $992,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its stake in Stewart Information Services by 2.8% in the first quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 13,253 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $816,000 after purchasing an additional 359 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caitlin John LLC bought a new stake in Stewart Information Services in the second quarter valued at $28,000. 96.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stewart Information Services News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter revenue reached a record level, indicating continued business volume and providing some support for the long-term outlook. However, the revenue performance was not enough to offset weaker earnings. Stewart Information Services Q3 2026: Revenue Record Masks a Profit Slide
• Neutral Sentiment: Management discussed the quarter and the company’s outlook during its earnings call, giving investors additional context on operating conditions and future performance. Stewart Information Services Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Third-quarter adjusted earnings were $1.33 per share, below the $1.50 analyst consensus, while revenue of approximately $900.7 million also slightly missed expectations. Profit fell 32% year over year, despite the revenue record, reinforcing concerns about margins and earnings quality. Stewart Information Services Q3 Profit Falls 32%
• Negative Sentiment: DOWLING & PARTN reduced its 2026 EPS forecast to $4.89 from $5.26, matching the current consensus estimate. It also cut its 2027 forecast to $5.20 from $6.25 and its 2028 forecast to $6.05 from $7.05. The multi-year reductions suggest analysts expect a slower earnings recovery than previously projected. Stewart Information Services analyst estimates

Stewart Information Services Company Profile

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.