United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) Downgraded to “Sell” Rating by StockNews.com

StockNews.com cut shares of United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on UBSI. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $43.00 price target on shares of United Bankshares in a research note on Monday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on shares of United Bankshares from $46.00 to $45.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a report on Monday.

United Bankshares Stock Performance

NASDAQ:UBSI opened at $38.90 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 0.97. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $39.44 and its 200-day moving average is $38.25. United Bankshares has a 52-week low of $30.68 and a 52-week high of $44.43. The company has a market cap of $5.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.73 and a beta of 1.03.

United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.01. United Bankshares had a return on equity of 7.58% and a net margin of 22.05%. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.59 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that United Bankshares will post 2.73 earnings per share for the current year.

United Bankshares Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 13th were paid a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 13th. United Bankshares’s dividend payout ratio is 56.06%.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Bankshares

In other United Bankshares news, Director J Paul Mcnamara sold 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.86, for a total transaction of $107,150.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 63,409 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,717,709.74. This represents a 3.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Mark R. Nesselroad sold 6,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.16, for a total transaction of $234,960.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 35,424 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,387,203.84. The trade was a 14.48 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 13,500 shares of company stock worth $542,110 over the last three months. Company insiders own 3.66% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Bankshares

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Algert Global LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Bankshares during the second quarter valued at approximately $441,000. Systematic Financial Management LP boosted its position in United Bankshares by 73.8% in the 2nd quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 279,039 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $9,052,000 after buying an additional 118,501 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of United Bankshares by 34.6% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,079 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $77,000 after buying an additional 534 shares during the period. Marathon Strategic Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Bankshares during the third quarter worth $206,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of United Bankshares by 237.6% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 844 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 594 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.80% of the company’s stock.

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.