BUZZ - BTIG initiates coverage on Radian with a "Buy" rating; stock price rises

September 22 - ** Shares of mortgage insurance provider Radian Group (RDN.N) rose nearly 2% in afternoon trading to $34.93

** BTIG initiated coverage of the stock with a "Buy" rating; the target price was set at $48, representing an upside of nearly 40% from the last closing price

** RDN is expected to achieve the highest return on equity (ROE) among mortgage insurance companies, as it has used some of its excess capital to acquire Inigo

** BTIG believes there is further upside potential for the capital return rate; it also notes that the company has room to optimize Inigo's capital levels

** According to data compiled by LSEG, out of 7 brokerages, 6 give the stock a "Buy" or higher rating, and 1 gives a "Hold" rating; the median target price is $45

** Including intraday fluctuations, the stock has fallen 3% so far this year

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