Stephens Highlights Strong Returns at United Bankshares (UBSI) After Earnings Beat

United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBSI) is included among the Best Low Risk Stocks for a Retirement Stock Portfolio.

On January 23, Stephens analyst Russell Gunther raised his price target on United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBSI) to $44 from $40 and kept an Equal Weight rating on the stock. He said operating EPS came in ahead of both consensus and his own estimates. In his view, the company’s returns stack up well against peers, and its excess capital, which is being put to work through share buybacks, helps support the stock’s premium valuation.

United reported fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on January 22, and the company posted $128.8 million in net income, or $0.91 per diluted share. Profitability remained solid, with annualized returns of 1.52% on average assets, 9.31% on average equity, and 14.86% on average tangible equity. Results for the quarter and the full year reflected the impact of the Piedmont Bancorp acquisition, which closed on January 10, 2025, and lifted average balances, income, and expenses compared with the prior year.

Share repurchases were another key theme in 2025. United bought back roughly 3.6 million shares under its existing programs at an average price of $35.24 per share. The company did not repurchase any shares in 2024.

United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBSI) is the parent company of United Bank and operates primarily through its community banking business.

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