Short Interest in Union Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UNB) Expands By 183.3%

Union Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UNB) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 35,700 shares, an increase of 183.3% from the December 15th total of 12,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 8,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.2 days. Currently, 1.0% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Union Bankshares from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday.

Union Bankshares Trading Down 2.6 %

Union Bankshares stock traded down $0.76 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $28.79. The stock had a trading volume of 1,217 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,374. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $31.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $27.56. Union Bankshares has a twelve month low of $21.00 and a twelve month high of $37.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $130.27 million, a PE ratio of 14.76 and a beta of 0.80.

Union Bankshares (NASDAQ:UNB) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 15th. The bank reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter. Union Bankshares had a return on equity of 13.14% and a net margin of 11.74%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Community Financial Services Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Bankshares in the third quarter worth $220,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its position in Union Bankshares by 7.7% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 14,032 shares of the bank’s stock worth $301,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in Union Bankshares by 10.4% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 30,924 shares of the bank’s stock worth $664,000 after purchasing an additional 2,914 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Union Bankshares by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 40,503 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $1,050,000 after purchasing an additional 1,188 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cardinal Capital Management raised its position in Union Bankshares by 15.1% in the third quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 74,413 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $1,930,000 after purchasing an additional 9,784 shares during the period. 14.84% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Bankshares Company Profile

Union Bankshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Union Bank that provides retail, commercial, and municipal banking products and services in northern Vermont and New Hampshire. It offers retail depository services, such as personal checking, savings, money market, IRA/SEP/KEOGH, and health savings accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.