United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO) Short Interest Up 27.2% in December

by · The Markets Daily

United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO – Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 21,500 shares, a growth of 27.2% from the November 30th total of 16,900 shares. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 24,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.9 days.

United Security Bancshares Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:UBFO traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $10.08. 16,604 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 20,726. The stock has a market cap of $174.62 million, a PE ratio of 9.88 and a beta of 0.61. The business’s fifty day moving average is $9.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.50. United Security Bancshares has a one year low of $7.02 and a one year high of $10.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09.

United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter. United Security Bancshares had a net margin of 25.78% and a return on equity of 13.96%. The business had revenue of $13.84 million during the quarter.

United Security Bancshares Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.76%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. United Security Bancshares’s payout ratio is 47.06%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on United Security Bancshares in a research note on Thursday, September 5th. They set a “hold” rating on the stock.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on UBFO

Insider Buying and Selling at United Security Bancshares

In other United Security Bancshares news, SVP Robert C. Oberg, Jr. sold 4,800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.81, for a total transaction of $47,088.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 18,228 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $178,816.68. This trade represents a 20.84 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 20.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of United Security Bancshares

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UBFO. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in United Security Bancshares by 5.2% in the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 49,201 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $429,000 after purchasing an additional 2,412 shares during the last quarter. Banc Funds Co. LLC grew its stake in shares of United Security Bancshares by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. Banc Funds Co. LLC now owns 573,139 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $4,992,000 after buying an additional 13,912 shares in the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of United Security Bancshares by 23.1% during the 3rd quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 16,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $139,000 after buying an additional 3,000 shares in the last quarter. Fourthstone LLC raised its position in shares of United Security Bancshares by 314.5% during the 3rd quarter. Fourthstone LLC now owns 171,540 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,494,000 after buying an additional 130,151 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC grew its position in United Security Bancshares by 12.5% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 28,576 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $248,000 after acquiring an additional 3,171 shares in the last quarter. 30.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About United Security Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

United Security Bancshares operates as the bank holding company for United Security Bank, a state-chartered bank that provides a range of commercial banking services to the business and professional community, and individuals in California. The company accepts various deposit products, including personal and business checking accounts, savings accounts, interest-bearing negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, money market accounts, and time certificates of deposit.

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