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

Equities research analysts at StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of First Bancshares (NASDAQ:FBMS) in a research note issued to investors on Saturday. The firm set a “sell” rating on the bank’s stock.

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on First Bancshares from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th.

First Bancshares Stock Performance

Shares of FBMS stock opened at $33.74 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $36.06 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $34.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 0.92. First Bancshares has a 12 month low of $22.96 and a 12 month high of $39.21.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Bancshares

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vestcor Inc acquired a new stake in First Bancshares during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of First Bancshares during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in First Bancshares by 864.4% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 974 shares of the bank’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 873 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its stake in First Bancshares by 50.8% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,194 shares of the bank’s stock worth $103,000 after purchasing an additional 1,076 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in First Bancshares by 26.0% in the fourth quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,102 shares of the bank’s stock worth $109,000 after purchasing an additional 641 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 69.95% of the company’s stock.

First Bancshares Company Profile

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.