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

Core Insights - United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBSI) is recognized as one of the Best Low Risk Stocks for a Retirement Stock Portfolio [1] - Stephens analyst Russell Gunther raised the price target for UBSI to $44 from $40, maintaining an Equal Weight rating, citing strong operating EPS that exceeded estimates [2] - The company's profitability metrics include a net income of $128.8 million for Q4 2025, translating to $0.91 per diluted share, with annualized returns of 1.52% on average assets, 9.31% on average equity, and 14.86% on average tangible equity [3] Financial Performance - United Bankshares reported a net income of $128.8 million for Q4 2025, with earnings per diluted share at $0.91 [3] - The acquisition of Piedmont Bancorp, which closed on January 10, 2025, positively impacted average balances, income, and expenses compared to the previous year [3] - The company executed share repurchases of approximately 3.6 million shares at an average price of $35.24 per share in 2025, with no repurchases made in 2024 [4] Investment Considerations - UBSI's excess capital is being utilized for share buybacks, which supports its premium valuation compared to peers [2] - The company operates primarily through its community banking business as the parent of United Bank [4]