One of the five leading writers of homeowners' insurance in Florida, Universal Insurance Holdings (UVE), voted a year-end dividend of 20 cents a share last Tuesday. That was the same as a year ago, but it followed a raise in the company's interim dividend to 12 cents a share from 10 cents in March. The distribution date is Dec. 4 for holders of record Nov. 16, and the ex-date is Nov. 12. Regular dividends began in April 2006 and have risen annually. Universal is the Sunshine State's second-largest private insurer (after State Farm), and in July was named to Fortune magazine's list of America's fastest-growing small, public companies. The Amex-traded shares set a 52-week high Friday of 6.33 a share and yield 10%.

Florida property insurer. High insider ownership. Good dividend payer.

Superb growth and exceptional dividends

it has been a stable stock with a payable dividend for a long time. It is also growing and acquiring new insurance companies nation wide

Value growth

growing company & expanding into other states and also reduced debt last qtr by 30%

Capital appreciation

13% dividend increase

13%

BUY