United Bankshares Exec Draber Ross Sells 748 Shares Just Before Dividend Declaration—Insiders Continue Strategic Portfolio Balancing

Insider Activity Spotlight: United Bankshares Inc‑WV

Recent Transaction Dynamics On February 22, 2026, Executive Vice President Draber Ross M sold 748 shares of United Bankshares’ common stock at $44.28 each, reducing his post‑transaction holdings to 27,503.94 shares. The sale follows a pattern of both buying and selling in the immediate days, including a large purchase of 3,700 shares on February 23 (price $0.00, reflecting the settlement of performance‑based restricted units) and subsequent sales of 532 and 1,800 shares. This activity occurs just days before the company’s February 23 dividend declaration, suggesting that Ross may be reallocating capital in anticipation of the dividend payout or to rebalance his portfolio.

Implications for Investors The net effect of Ross’s recent trades is a slight divestiture of his stake, but his holdings remain substantial—over 27 000 shares, equating to roughly 0.46 % of the outstanding shares (based on a market cap of $5.94 bn and a share price of $42.60). A modest sell‑off from a senior executive is unlikely to trigger a market sell‑off, yet it may signal that insiders are confident the stock will continue to provide liquidity through dividends and potential share appreciation. For investors, this could be interpreted as a sign that the company is not under pressure to raise capital, and that management believes the business model will support ongoing dividend payments.

Historical Behavior of Draber Ross Ross’s transaction history shows a mix of large buys and sells, often coinciding with the vesting of performance‑based restricted units. In December 2025 he sold 1,876 shares at $39.53, then immediately purchased 2,000 shares at $35.04, a pattern that suggests a strategic realignment of his portfolio rather than a reaction to a specific event. His holdings in stock options (e.g., 1,453 shares since 2020) have remained constant, indicating a long‑term commitment to the company’s equity. Overall, Ross’s activity has been measured, with no dramatic swings that would alarm investors. This disciplined approach reinforces his confidence in United Bankshares’ trajectory.

Company‑Wide Insider Context The broader executive group has been active: Tatterson William Mark, Gurtis Julie R, and several others have executed multiple trades in February, reflecting a typical pattern of balancing personal portfolios with company performance. The volume of insider trades (over 30 trades among the top executives in the last month) is in line with industry norms for a regional bank of United Bankshares’ size. The absence of a concentration of sell‑offs across the board suggests that insiders are not collectively withdrawing their positions, which would otherwise raise red flags.

What This Means for the Future United Bankshares’ fundamentals—price‑to‑earnings of 12.93, a 52‑week range between $30.51 and $45.93, and a steady dividend—indicate a stable, dividend‑paying bank that is not under immediate financial distress. Insider activity, as exemplified by Ross, appears to be more about portfolio management than signaling a fundamental shift. Investors can view the current sell‑offs as a normal part of insider trading cycles, while still monitoring the company’s earnings releases and dividend policy for any changes that could affect future returns.