Radian Group Inc. (NYSE:RDN) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Radian Group Inc. (NYSE:RDN) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eight research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $42.1667.

Several research firms have recently weighed in on RDN. Royal Bank Of Canada assumed coverage on Radian Group in a research note on Friday, May 22nd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $47.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Radian Group from $39.00 to $35.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Radian Group from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Friday, September 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on shares of Radian Group from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Radian Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, August 9th.

Radian Group Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of RDN stock traded up $0.14 on Friday, reaching $34.94. 177,173 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,274,005. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The stock has a market cap of $4.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 0.70. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $37.27 and a two-hundred day moving average of $35.87. Radian Group has a 1-year low of $31.50 and a 1-year high of $41.05.

Radian Group (NYSE:RDN) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The insurance provider reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.34 by ($0.20). The firm had revenue of $574.96 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $556.55 million. Radian Group had a net margin of 32.60% and a return on equity of 13.65%. Radian Group’s revenue was up 92.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.01 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Radian Group will post 4.86 EPS for the current year.

Radian Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 24th were paid a dividend of $0.255 per share. This represents a $1.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 24th. Radian Group’s payout ratio is currently 26.22%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Meghan Bartholomew sold 7,812 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.94, for a total value of $280,763.28. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 39,203 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,408,955.82. This trade represents a 16.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 2.03% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Radian Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of RDN. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in Radian Group by 109.3% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 672 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 351 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Radian Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Root Financial Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Radian Group by 67.3% during the 1st quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 1,288 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 518 shares during the period. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new stake in shares of Radian Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, Nykredit A S acquired a new position in Radian Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $55,000. 95.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Radian Group

Radian Group Inc is a Philadelphia-based provider of private mortgage insurance and related risk-management services. Through its principal subsidiary, Radian Guaranty Inc, the company helps lenders manage credit risk on residential mortgages, primarily by insuring loans that have relatively low down payments. Mortgage insurance can enable qualified borrowers to obtain home financing without making a traditional 20% down payment.

Radian’s mortgage insurance products are designed for lenders, mortgage originators and investors in the United States.