Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Grows Holdings in Old Republic International Co. (NYSE:ORI)

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its stake in Old Republic International Co. (NYSE:ORI) by 1.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 62,881 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,180 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank’s holdings in Old Republic International were worth $2,276,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Old Republic International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Old Republic International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Core Alternative Capital purchased a new stake in Old Republic International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Old Republic International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Old Republic International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. 70.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Old Republic International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th.

Old Republic International Trading Up 2.2 %

NYSE ORI opened at $37.41 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. Old Republic International Co. has a 52 week low of $28.59 and a 52 week high of $39.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.28 billion, a PE ratio of 14.22 and a beta of 0.83. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $36.33 and a two-hundred day moving average of $36.24.

Old Republic International (NYSE:ORI) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The insurance provider reported $0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.19. Old Republic International had a net margin of 10.36% and a return on equity of 20.32%. As a group, research analysts expect that Old Republic International Co. will post 3.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Old Republic International Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be issued a $0.29 dividend. This is a boost from Old Republic International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.10%. Old Republic International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 44.11%.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Carolyn Monroe sold 9,188 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.35, for a total transaction of $333,983.80. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 33,556 shares in the company, valued at $1,219,760.60. This represents a 21.50 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Craig R. Smiddy sold 5,296 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.60, for a total transaction of $204,425.60. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 138,222 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,335,369.20. This represents a 3.69 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 43,039 shares of company stock worth $1,580,733. Corporate insiders own 0.78% of the company’s stock.

Old Republic International Profile

Old Republic International Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the insurance underwriting and related services business primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through three segments: General Insurance, Title Insurance, and Republic Financial Indemnity Group Run-off Business.