United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

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

United Security Bancshares Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:UBFO traded up $0.13 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $9.88. The stock had a trading volume of 21,984 shares, compared to its average volume of 23,233. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $9.82 and its 200 day moving average price is $8.73. United Security Bancshares has a 1 year low of $7.02 and a 1 year high of $10.49. The company has a market cap of $171.15 million, a P/E ratio of 9.69 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 announced its quarterly earnings results 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 firm had revenue of $13.84 million during the quarter.

United Security Bancshares Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.86%. United Security Bancshares’s payout ratio is presently 47.06%.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Robert C. Oberg, Jr. sold 4,800 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.81, for a total transaction of $47,088.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 18,228 shares in the company, valued at approximately $178,816.68. This represents a 20.84 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 20.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UBFO. Barclays PLC grew its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 3,171 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Security Bancshares by 11.2% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 145,776 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,270,000 after buying an additional 14,668 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC raised its stake in shares of United Security Bancshares by 5.2% during the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 49,201 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $429,000 after acquiring an additional 2,412 shares in the last quarter. Banc Funds Co. LLC lifted its position in United Security Bancshares by 2.5% during 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 acquiring an additional 13,912 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Miracle Mile Advisors LLC boosted its stake in United Security Bancshares by 23.1% in the third quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 16,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $139,000 after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 30.88% of the company’s stock.

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.