Natixis Advisors L.P. Increases Stake in United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBSI)

Natixis Advisors L.P. lifted its position in shares of United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBSI - Free Report) by 66.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 199,537 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 79,488 shares during the quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. owned 0.15% of United Bankshares worth $7,492,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its position in United Bankshares by 6.3% during the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 18,096 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $499,000 after buying an additional 1,065 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of United Bankshares by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 74,446 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $2,054,000 after purchasing an additional 3,263 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates increased its stake in shares of United Bankshares by 8.0% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 105,557 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $2,912,000 after purchasing an additional 7,791 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its stake in shares of United Bankshares by 9.6% during the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 25,098 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $692,000 after purchasing an additional 2,207 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio increased its stake in shares of United Bankshares by 178.8% during the 3rd quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 31,500 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $869,000 after purchasing an additional 20,200 shares during the last quarter. 70.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

United Bankshares Price Performance

Shares of United Bankshares stock traded up $0.14 on Friday, reaching $34.41. 321,606 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 538,517. The firm's 50 day moving average is $34.05 and its 200-day moving average is $34.33. United Bankshares, Inc. has a one year low of $25.35 and a one year high of $38.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.00. The firm has a market cap of $4.65 billion, a PE ratio of 13.08 and a beta of 1.01.

United Bankshares (NASDAQ:UBSI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The financial services provider reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.65 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $401.39 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $256.80 million. United Bankshares had a return on equity of 7.72% and a net margin of 22.51%. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.74 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that United Bankshares, Inc. will post 2.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Bankshares Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th were given a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.30%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 7th. United Bankshares's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 56.49%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on UBSI shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on shares of United Bankshares from $40.00 to $38.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 3rd. Stephens decreased their price target on shares of United Bankshares from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $37.00.

United Bankshares 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.