United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO) was the target of a large 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 shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 25,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.0 days.

Insider Activity at United Security Bancshares

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Security Bancshares

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UBFO. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in shares of United Security Bancshares by 4.8% during 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 United Security Bancshares by 43.8% during the 4th quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 23,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $232,000 after acquiring an additional 7,000 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its stake in United Security Bancshares by 12.5% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 28,576 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $248,000 after acquiring an additional 3,171 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in United Security Bancshares by 11.2% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 145,776 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,270,000 after acquiring an additional 14,668 shares during the period. Finally, Banc Funds Co. LLC grew 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 worth $4,992,000 after purchasing an additional 13,912 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 30.88% of the company’s stock.

United Security Bancshares Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ UBFO traded up $0.06 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $9.65. The company had a trading volume of 10,176 shares, compared to its average volume of 28,900. 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 firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $9.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $8.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.92. United Security Bancshares has a 12 month low of $7.02 and a 12 month high of $10.49.

United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO) last posted its earnings results on Monday, January 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. United Security Bancshares had a return on equity of 11.54% and a net margin of 22.58%.

United Security Bancshares Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd were paid 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 of this dividend was Thursday, January 2nd. United Security Bancshares’s payout ratio is 55.81%.

About United Security Bancshares

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.