UVE Overview

Validea's Small-Cap Growth Investor Model: Today's upgrades highlight small-cap growth stocks with strong fundamentals and price performance, including Universal Insurance Holdings, Bankwell Financial Group, Third Coast Bancshares, Inter & Co, and Hippo Holdings.

Universal Insurance Holdings Inc (UVE): The stock rating improved from 69% to 83%, indicating solid fundamentals and valuation in the property and casualty insurance sector.

Bankwell Financial Group Inc (BWFG): The rating increased from 67% to 80%, reflecting strong fundamentals in the Money Center Banks industry, focusing on commercial lending and traditional banking services.

Third Coast Bancshares Inc (TCBX): The stock rating rose from 56% to 83%, showing improved fundamentals and valuation, with a focus on commercial banking solutions in Texas markets.

Heritage Insurance Performance: Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (HRTG) shares have surged 136% year-to-date, significantly outperforming industry peers and benefiting from improved underwriting and rate adequacy strategies.

Strategic Focus on Profitability: The company is prioritizing disciplined underwriting and cautious market expansion, having recently resumed writing personal lines business after halting new policies in certain regions due to previous challenges.

Growth and Risk Management: Heritage is expanding its geographic footprint and improving risk diversification, with a focus on maintaining profitability through advanced data analytics and technology investments.

Valuation and Future Outlook: Despite being overvalued compared to its industry, HRTG's strong growth prospects, high return on equity, and positive earnings estimates suggest a favorable investment opportunity, supported by a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Upcoming Ex-Dividend Dates: First Merchants Corp (FRME), Mercantile Bank Corp. (MBWM), and Universal Insurance Holdings Inc (UVE) will trade ex-dividend on 12/5/25, with respective dividends of $0.36, $0.38, and $0.16 scheduled for payment on 12/19/25, 12/17/25, and 12/12/25.

Expected Price Adjustments: Following the ex-dividend date, FRME shares are expected to open 0.98% lower, MBWM by 0.82%, and UVE by 0.49%, based on their recent stock prices.

Dividend Yield Estimates: The estimated annualized yields for the upcoming dividends are 3.91% for First Merchants Corp, 3.27% for Mercantile Bank Corp., and 1.96% for Universal Insurance Holdings Inc, reflecting their historical dividend stability.

Current Trading Performance: As of Wednesday trading, shares of First Merchants Corp are down about 1%, Mercantile Bank Corp. down 0.2%, and Universal Insurance Holdings Inc down 0.5%.