United Bankshares Inc. Announces Q3 Dividend and 6.8M-Share Buyback

What Happened
United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI) filed an 8-K on August 24, 2026 announcing a third-quarter cash dividend of $0.38 per share and a new stock repurchase plan authorizing up to 6.8 million shares (about 5% of outstanding common stock). The new 2026 repurchase plan replaces the prior plan approved in November 2025, which was terminated effective August 24, 2026. Under the prior plan, from July 1, 2026 through August 24, 2026, United repurchased 768,811 shares at a weighted average price of $46.54.

Key Details

• Q3 dividend: $0.38 per share (approved August 24, 2026).
• New repurchase plan: up to 6,800,000 shares, ~5% of issued and outstanding common stock.
• Prior plan terminated: 2025 Plan ended effective August 24, 2026; 768,811 shares repurchased under that plan (Jul 1–Aug 24, 2026) at $46.54 average price.
• Repurchases under the 2026 Plan are discretionary (open market, negotiated transactions, or other means) and not an obligation; shares may be used for employee benefit programs or other corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions.

Why It Matters
This filing signals United’s capital-return strategy: a regular cash dividend plus a sizable, flexible buyback authorization. The buyback gives management a tool to manage capital and potentially reduce share count over time (which can affect per-share metrics), while retained flexibility means purchases are subject to market conditions and management discretion. Investors should view the plan as a means to deploy excess capital and support shareholder value, but not as a guaranteed level of future repurchases.