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

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

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on First Bancshares from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded First Bancshares from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $38.75.

First Bancshares Price Performance

First Bancshares stock opened at $37.64 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.42 and a beta of 0.94. First Bancshares has a 12-month low of $22.96 and a 12-month high of $39.21. 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 firm’s 50-day moving average is $36.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $34.54.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vestcor Inc acquired a new stake in First Bancshares during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in First Bancshares during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in First Bancshares by 864.4% in the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 974 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 873 shares during the period. CWM LLC lifted its position in First Bancshares by 73.2% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,960 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $95,000 after buying an additional 1,251 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its stake in First Bancshares by 26.0% during the fourth quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,102 shares of the bank’s stock worth $109,000 after buying an additional 641 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.95% of the company’s 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.