Dana Investment Advisors Inc. Decreases Holdings in United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBSI)

Dana Investment Advisors Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBSI) by 5.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 79,106 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 4,555 shares during the period. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. owned 0.06% of United Bankshares worth $2,970,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in United Bankshares during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its holdings in United Bankshares by 55.8% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 866 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 310 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB lifted its holdings in United Bankshares by 1,921.1% during the 4th quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 1,435 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 1,364 shares during the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in United Bankshares by 10.1% during the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 3,115 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $117,000 after buying an additional 285 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Milestone Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in United Bankshares during the 4th quarter worth about $201,000. 70.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Bankshares Stock Performance

Shares of UBSI stock opened at $35.08 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.74 billion, a PE ratio of 12.80 and a beta of 1.02. United Bankshares, Inc. 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 $37.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11.

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 7.60% and a net margin of 22.94%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.59 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that United Bankshares, Inc. will post 2.81 EPS for the current year.

United Bankshares Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.22%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. United Bankshares’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.01%.

Insider Activity at United Bankshares

In related news, Director Mark R. Nesselroad sold 6,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.16, for a total value of $234,960.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 35,424 shares in the company, valued at $1,387,203.84. The trade was a 14.48 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 3.66% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on UBSI. StockNews.com cut United Bankshares from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on United Bankshares from $46.00 to $45.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $43.00 target price on shares of United Bankshares in a research report on Monday, January 27th.

About United Bankshares

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.