Short Interest in United Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBCP) Expands By 24.3%

United Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBCP) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 9,200 shares, a growth of 24.3% from the January 31st total of 7,400 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 6,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.4 days.

United Bancorp Price Performance

UBCP stock opened at $13.58 on Friday. United Bancorp has a 52 week low of $11.40 and a 52 week high of $15.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $78.61 million, a P/E ratio of 10.69 and a beta of 0.40.

United Bancorp (NASDAQ:UBCP) last announced its earnings results on Friday, February 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter. United Bancorp had a net margin of 16.83% and a return on equity of 11.73%.

United Bancorp Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be paid a $0.1825 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 10th. This represents a $0.73 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.38%. This is an increase from United Bancorp’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. United Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio is currently 57.48%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Bancorp

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UBCP. BBR Partners LLC purchased a new position in United Bancorp in the 3rd quarter worth about $131,000. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in shares of United Bancorp by 40.2% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 25,314 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $329,000 after buying an additional 7,264 shares during the last quarter. Founders Financial Alliance LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Bancorp by 11.0% during the fourth quarter. Founders Financial Alliance LLC now owns 36,642 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $476,000 after buying an additional 3,633 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in United Bancorp by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 40,956 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $528,000 after acquiring an additional 2,125 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wesbanco Bank Inc. boosted its position in shares of United Bancorp by 52.9% during the 4th quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. now owns 42,055 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $547,000 after acquiring an additional 14,550 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 15.42% of the company’s stock.

About United Bancorp

United Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Unified Bank that provides commercial and retail banking services in Ohio. The company provides range of banking and financial services, which includes accepting demand, savings, and time deposits. It also offers commercial, real estate and consumer loans.