United Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBCP) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

United Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBCP) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 13,000 shares, an increase of 41.3% from the February 13th total of 9,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 6,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.0 days. Currently, 0.3% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Institutional Trading of United Bancorp

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UBCP. Wealthedge Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in United Bancorp during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $258,000. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in United Bancorp by 40.2% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 25,314 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $329,000 after buying an additional 7,264 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in United Bancorp by 5.5% during the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 40,956 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $528,000 after buying an additional 2,125 shares during the period. Founders Financial Alliance LLC increased its holdings in 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 period. Finally, Wesbanco Bank Inc. increased its holdings in United Bancorp by 52.9% during the fourth quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. now owns 42,055 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $547,000 after buying an additional 14,550 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 15.42% of the company’s stock.

United Bancorp Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of NASDAQ UBCP opened at $13.18 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $13.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. United Bancorp has a 1 year low of $11.40 and a 1 year high of $15.50. The company has a market cap of $76.30 million, a P/E ratio of 10.38 and a beta of 0.38.

United Bancorp (NASDAQ:UBCP) last posted its quarterly 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 business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.1825 per share. This represents a $0.73 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.54%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. This is an increase from United Bancorp’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. United Bancorp’s payout ratio is currently 57.48%.

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.