United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) Stock Rating Lowered by StockNews.com

United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report released on Monday.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Stephens reissued an “equal weight” rating and issued a $43.00 price target on shares of United Bankshares in a research note on Monday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target 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.

United Bankshares Price Performance

United Bankshares stock traded up $0.50 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $38.90. The company had a trading volume of 749,019 shares, compared to its average volume of 596,689. 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 firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $39.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is $38.25. The company has a market capitalization of $5.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.73 and a beta of 1.03. United Bankshares has a 12-month low of $30.68 and a 12-month high of $44.43.

United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.68 by $0.01. United Bankshares had a net margin of 22.05% and a return on equity of 7.58%. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.59 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that United Bankshares will post 2.73 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at United Bankshares

In related news, Director J Paul Mcnamara sold 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.86, for a total value of $107,150.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 63,409 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,717,709.74. This represents a 3.79 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Mark R. Nesselroad sold 6,000 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 35,424 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,387,203.84. The trade was 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 currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Bankshares

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Choreo LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Bankshares during the fourth quarter worth about $206,000. Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in United Bankshares during the 4th quarter worth approximately $250,000. Milestone Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Bankshares during the 4th quarter worth approximately $201,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of United Bankshares by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 20,108 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $755,000 after buying an additional 432 shares during the period. Finally, KBC Group NV boosted its stake in shares of United Bankshares by 61.7% in the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 5,916 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $222,000 after buying an additional 2,258 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.80% of the company’s stock.

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.