United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) Hits New 12-Month High – What’s Next?

United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBSI) reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $44.09 and last traded at $44.09, with a volume of 13033 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $42.81.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of United Bankshares from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $40.25.

United Bankshares Trading Up 2.2 %

The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $38.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is $36.06. 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 company has a market capitalization of $5.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.22 and a beta of 0.98.

United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.03. United Bankshares had a return on equity of 7.58% and a net margin of 22.05%. The business had revenue of $414.67 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $260.30 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.71 EPS. Research analysts predict that United Bankshares, Inc. will post 2.73 earnings per share for the current year.

United Bankshares Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 13th will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.38%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 13th. United Bankshares’s payout ratio is presently 56.06%.

Insider Activity at United Bankshares

In related news, Director Peter A. Converse sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $200,000.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 434,769 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $17,390,760. This trade represents a 1.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 3.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Bankshares

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UBSI. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in United Bankshares by 237.6% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 844 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 594 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of United Bankshares by 253.5% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,545 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 1,108 shares during the last quarter. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. acquired a new stake in shares of United Bankshares during the first quarter worth $79,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Bankshares during the second quarter worth about $116,000. Finally, Marathon Strategic Advisors LLC purchased a new position in United Bankshares during the third quarter worth about $206,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.