The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS) Shares Sold by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lessened its stake in shares of The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS) by 26.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 42,026 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 14,843 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans owned approximately 0.13% of First Bancshares worth $1,471,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Vestcor Inc purchased a new stake in shares of First Bancshares during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. FMR LLC grew its stake in First Bancshares by 50.8% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,194 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $103,000 after purchasing an additional 1,076 shares during the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC purchased a new stake in First Bancshares during the 3rd quarter valued at about $236,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of First Bancshares in the fourth quarter worth about $307,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of First Bancshares during the third quarter worth about $308,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.95% of the company’s stock.

First Bancshares Stock Down 3.7 %

First Bancshares stock opened at $33.74 on Monday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $36.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $35.04. 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 price-to-earnings ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 0.92. The First Bancshares, Inc. has a 52 week low of $22.96 and a 52 week high of $39.21.

First Bancshares Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th were paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.96%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. First Bancshares’s dividend payout ratio is currently 40.98%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

FBMS has been the topic of several research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on shares of First Bancshares from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of First Bancshares in a research note on Saturday. They issued a “sell” rating on the stock.

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.