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

United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 21,500 shares, an increase of 27.2% from the November 30th total of 16,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 24,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.9 days. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

United Security Bancshares Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of United Security Bancshares stock traded down $0.09 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $10.10. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 15,183 shares, compared to its average volume of 20,763. The firm has a market capitalization of $174.96 million, a P/E ratio of 9.90 and a beta of 0.61. United Security Bancshares has a 1-year low of $7.02 and a 1-year high of $10.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $9.55 and a 200-day simple moving average of $8.49.

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

United Security Bancshares Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 4.75%. United Security Bancshares’s payout ratio is 47.06%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of United Security Bancshares in a research note on Thursday, September 5th. They set a “hold” rating for the company.

Insider Buying and Selling

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 transaction of $47,088.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 18,228 shares in the company, valued at approximately $178,816.68. This trade represents a 20.84 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 20.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UBFO. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Security Bancshares by 5.2% in 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 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 valued at $4,992,000 after purchasing an additional 13,912 shares during the period. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC grew 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 worth $139,000 after buying an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Fourthstone LLC increased its stake in United Security Bancshares by 314.5% in the third quarter. Fourthstone LLC now owns 171,540 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,494,000 after purchasing an additional 130,151 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in United Security Bancshares by 12.5% during 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 institutional investors.

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.