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

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

First Bancshares Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of First Bancshares stock opened at $33.75 on Thursday. 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 company has a market capitalization of $1.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a 50 day moving average of $34.01 and a 200 day moving average of $35.34. First Bancshares has a 52-week low of $23.60 and a 52-week high of $39.21.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Bancshares

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in First Bancshares by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 475,014 shares of the bank’s stock worth $15,262,000 after buying an additional 26,349 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in First Bancshares by 4.9% in the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,598,088 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $55,933,000 after purchasing an additional 74,483 shares during the period. Barclays PLC increased its position in First Bancshares by 48.1% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 86,748 shares of the bank’s stock worth $2,787,000 after purchasing an additional 28,184 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in First Bancshares by 7.6% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 967,043 shares of the bank’s stock worth $33,847,000 after purchasing an additional 68,396 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Yakira Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of First Bancshares in the 4th quarter valued at $1,301,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.