United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO) Short Interest Up 137.7% in January

United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 51,100 shares, an increase of 137.7% from the December 31st total of 21,500 shares. Approximately 0.4% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 25,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Robert C. Oberg, Jr. sold 4,800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.81, for a total value of $47,088.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 18,228 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $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 at the SEC website. Company insiders own 20.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in shares of United Security Bancshares by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 51,540 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $514,000 after buying an additional 2,339 shares during the period. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of United Security Bancshares by 43.8% during the fourth quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 23,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $232,000 after purchasing an additional 7,000 shares during the period. Barclays PLC raised its stake in shares of United Security Bancshares by 12.5% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 28,576 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $248,000 after purchasing an additional 3,171 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of United Security Bancshares by 11.2% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 145,776 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,270,000 after purchasing an additional 14,668 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Banc Funds Co. LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Security Bancshares by 2.5% in the third quarter. Banc Funds Co. LLC now owns 573,139 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $4,992,000 after purchasing an additional 13,912 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 30.88% of the company’s stock.

United Security Bancshares Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of UBFO traded up $0.06 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $9.65. The company had a trading volume of 10,176 shares, compared to its average volume of 28,900. United Security Bancshares has a fifty-two week low of $7.02 and a fifty-two week high of $10.49. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of $8.92. The stock has a market cap of $167.05 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.24 and a beta of 0.60. 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) last issued its earnings results on Monday, January 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter. United Security Bancshares had a return on equity of 11.54% and a net margin of 22.58%.

United Security Bancshares Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd were given a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.98%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 2nd. United Security Bancshares’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.81%.

United Security Bancshares Company Profile

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.