United Community Banks, Inc. (UCB) is gearing up to report its fourth-quarter earnings results on Wednesday morning, January 14, 2025, and Wall Street analysts have been busy adjusting their forecasts ahead of the release.
The Greenville, South Carolina-based bank is expected to post quarterly earnings of 71 cents per share, representing a solid jump from the 63 cents per share reported in the same quarter last year. Revenue projections are equally optimistic, with the consensus estimate sitting at $273.6 million compared to $251.93 million in the year-ago period, according to market data.
The earnings announcement comes on the heels of some notable corporate action. On December 8, United Community Banks' board authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $100 million of its outstanding common stock, a move that typically signals management confidence in the company's prospects.
Shares of United Community Banks closed up 2.3% at $33.28 on Thursday, positioning the stock near the middle of analyst price target ranges.
What the Most Accurate Analysts Are Saying
Several analysts with strong track records have weighed in on United Community Banks in recent months. Here's what the top-rated forecasters are predicting:
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst Catherine Mealor, who maintains a 73% accuracy rate, kept her Market Perform rating on July 28, 2025, while raising her price target from $32 to $34.
DA Davidson's Gary Tenner, boasting the highest accuracy rate at 78%, maintained a Buy rating on July 24, 2025, and increased his price target from $34 to $36.
Raymond James analyst Daniel Tamayo took a more cautious stance on July 8, 2025, downgrading the stock from Outperform to Market Perform. His accuracy rate stands at 61%.
Stephens & Co. analyst Russell Gunther maintained an Overweight rating with a $36 price target on April 23, 2025. This analyst carries a 69% accuracy rate.
Hovde Group's David Bishop, with a 64% accuracy rate, kept his Market Perform rating on March 20, 2025, but reduced his price target from $36 to $32.
The range of opinions reflects the typical uncertainty surrounding regional bank performance, though the consensus leans toward modest optimism as the earnings release approaches.
