United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO) Short Interest Down 25.4% in January

United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO - Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 38,100 shares, a drop of 25.4% from the December 31st total of 51,100 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 26,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, SVP Robert C. Oberg, Jr. sold 4,800 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated 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 $178,816.68. This represents a 20.84 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a 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 institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Banc Funds Co. LLC raised its position in 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 during the last quarter. Fourthstone LLC grew its position in United Security Bancshares by 314.5% in the 3rd quarter. Fourthstone LLC now owns 171,540 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,494,000 after purchasing an additional 130,151 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake 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 valued at $1,270,000 after buying an additional 14,668 shares during the last quarter. Private Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Security Bancshares by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Private Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 83,044 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $716,000 after buying an additional 1,233 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 2,339 shares during the period. 30.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Security Bancshares Stock Down 1.7 %

Shares of United Security Bancshares stock traded down $0.16 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $9.41. The company had a trading volume of 51,857 shares, compared to its average volume of 31,098. United Security Bancshares has a 52-week low of $7.02 and a 52-week high of $10.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $162.98 million, a P/E ratio of 10.94 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a 50 day moving average of $9.93 and a 200 day moving average of $8.95.

United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly 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 net margin of 22.58% and a return on equity of 11.54%.

United Security Bancshares Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd were given a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.10%. United Security Bancshares's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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.