First Bancshares (NASDAQ:FBMS) Coverage Initiated at StockNews.com

StockNews.com started coverage on shares of First Bancshares (NASDAQ:FBMS) in a research report report published on Monday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the bank’s stock.

First Bancshares Price Performance

NASDAQ:FBMS opened at $33.75 on Monday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $34.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $35.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firm has a market cap of $1.05 billion, a PE ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 0.92. First Bancshares has a 12 month low of $23.25 and a 12 month high of $39.21.

First Bancshares Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.96%. First Bancshares’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.98%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vestcor Inc acquired a new position in First Bancshares during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of First Bancshares during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of First Bancshares by 864.4% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 974 shares of the bank’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 873 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in First Bancshares by 11,808.7% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,739 shares of the bank’s stock worth $93,000 after purchasing an additional 2,716 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC raised its position in shares of First Bancshares by 50.8% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,194 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $103,000 after buying an additional 1,076 shares in the last quarter. 69.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About First Bancshares

The First Bancshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for The First Bank that provides general commercial and retail banking services. The company operates through three segments: Commercial/Retail Bank, Mortgage Banking Division, and Holding Company. It offers deposit services, including checking, NOW, and savings accounts; other time deposits, such as daily money market accounts and longer-term certificates of deposit; and individual retirement and health savings accounts.