StockNews.com Downgrades United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) to Sell

United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) was downgraded by StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a note issued to investors on Monday.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased 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 research report on Monday. Stephens reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and issued a $43.00 price target on shares of United Bankshares in a report on Monday.

United Bankshares Stock Up 1.3 %

NASDAQ UBSI traded up $0.50 on Monday, hitting $38.90. The stock had a trading volume of 749,019 shares, compared to its average volume of 596,689. United Bankshares has a 52-week low of $30.68 and a 52-week high of $44.43. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $39.44 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The stock 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 announced its 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 company posted $0.59 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that United Bankshares will post 2.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director J Paul Mcnamara sold 2,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 26th. The stock was 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 $2,717,709.74. This trade represents a 3.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Mark R. Nesselroad sold 6,000 shares of United Bankshares 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 transaction, the director now owns 35,424 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,387,203.84. This represents a 14.48 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 13,500 shares of company stock valued at $542,110. 3.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Bankshares

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC boosted its holdings in United Bankshares by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC now owns 12,537 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $471,000 after buying an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. Inspire Investing LLC raised its position in shares of United Bankshares by 2.7% in the third quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 11,095 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $412,000 after acquiring an additional 291 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Bankshares by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 19,542 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $730,000 after acquiring an additional 332 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of United Bankshares by 3.6% during the 3rd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 12,328 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $457,000 after acquiring an additional 427 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of United Bankshares by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 20,108 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $755,000 after acquiring an additional 432 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.