UCB

United Community Banks (UCB) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating due to rising earnings estimate revisions. The bank holding company is expected to earn $3.01 per share for fiscal year 2026, with analysts raising consensus estimates by 2.6% over the past three months. The upgrade positions UCB in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for near-term stock price appreciation.

Zacks has added five stocks to its Strong Buy list today: Concrete Pumping Holdings (BBCP) with 11.8% earnings estimate increase, United Community Banks (UCB) with 2.1% increase, Transportadora De Gas (TGS) with 0.7% increase, Seagate Technology (STX) with 0.1% increase, and Immunic (IMUX) with 4.4% increase over the last 60 days.

United Community Banks (UCB), a Southeast-based bank holding company, offers an attractive dividend yield of 3.08% with a current annualized dividend of $1.04, up 6.1% year-over-year. The company has increased dividends 4 times over the last 5 years with an average annual increase of 6.51%. With a conservative 35% payout ratio and expected earnings growth of 10.33% for 2026, UCB is positioned as both a compelling dividend investment and growth opportunity, earning a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).