Old Republic International (NYSE:ORI) Hits New 52-Week High – Should You Buy?

Shares of Old Republic International Co. (NYSE:ORI) hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The company traded as high as $39.31 and last traded at $38.98, with a volume of 1521581 shares. The stock had previously closed at $39.05.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com cut Old Republic International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th.

Old Republic International Stock Performance

The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $37.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $36.42. The company has a market capitalization of $9.67 billion, a PE ratio of 14.82 and a beta of 0.83. 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 (NYSE:ORI) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The insurance provider reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.19. Old Republic International had a return on equity of 20.32% and a net margin of 10.36%. On average, research analysts predict that Old Republic International Co. will post 3.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Old Republic International Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th were issued a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.98%. This is a boost from Old Republic International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 10th. Old Republic International’s payout ratio is 44.11%.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Jeffrey Lange sold 1,098 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.56, for a total transaction of $40,142.88. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 34,679 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,267,864.24. This represents a 3.07 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Carolyn Monroe sold 9,188 shares of Old Republic International stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 4th. The stock was 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 directly owns 33,556 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,219,760.60. The trade was a 21.50 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 43,039 shares of company stock worth $1,580,733 over the last three months. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Old Republic International

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ORI. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in shares of Old Republic International during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Fairway Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Old Republic International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Old Republic International in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Core Alternative Capital purchased a new stake in shares of Old Republic International during the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Synergy Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Old Republic International during the 4th quarter worth $39,000. 70.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Old Republic International

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.