United Bankshares’ (UBSI) Equal Weight Rating Reiterated at Stephens

Stephens restated their equal weight rating on shares of United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) in a research note published on Monday morning,Benzinga reports. Stephens currently has a $43.00 price target on the financial services provider’s stock.

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded United Bankshares from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th.

United Bankshares Trading Down 0.4 %

NASDAQ:UBSI opened at $38.31 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.18 billion, a PE ratio of 14.51 and a beta of 1.03. United Bankshares has a 52-week low of $30.68 and a 52-week high of $44.43. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $39.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11.

United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.68 by $0.01. United Bankshares had a net margin of 22.05% and a return on equity of 7.58%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.59 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that United Bankshares will post 2.73 EPS for the current year.

United Bankshares Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 13th were given a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 13th. United Bankshares’s payout ratio is 54.01%.

Insider Activity at United Bankshares

In other news, Director Mark R. Nesselroad sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.16, for a total value of $234,960.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 35,424 shares in the company, valued at $1,387,203.84. This represents a 14.48 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Peter A. Converse sold 5,000 shares of United Bankshares stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $200,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 434,769 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $17,390,760. This represents a 1.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 13,500 shares of company stock worth $542,110 over the last three months. 3.66% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Bankshares

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in United Bankshares by 237.6% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 844 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 594 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB raised its position in shares of United Bankshares by 1,921.1% in the fourth quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 1,435 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $54,000 after buying an additional 1,364 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in United Bankshares by 34.6% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,079 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $77,000 after acquiring an additional 534 shares during the last quarter. Milestone Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in United Bankshares in the 4th quarter worth approximately $201,000. Finally, Marathon Strategic Advisors LLC acquired a new position in United Bankshares in the 3rd quarter valued at $206,000. 70.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Bankshares Company Profile

United Bankshares, Inc, through its subsidiaries, primarily provides commercial and retail banking products and services in the United States. It operates through two segments, Community Banking and Mortgage Banking. The company accepts checking, savings, and time and money market accounts; individual retirement accounts; and demand deposits, statement and special savings, and NOW accounts.