StockNews.com Begins Coverage on First Bancshares (NASDAQ:FBMS)

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

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price 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.

First Bancshares Price Performance

NASDAQ FBMS opened at $33.74 on Friday. First Bancshares has a 12 month low of $22.96 and a 12 month high of $39.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.05 billion, a PE ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 0.92. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $36.06 and its 200 day simple moving average is $34.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Bancshares

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in First Bancshares by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 898,647 shares of the bank’s stock worth $28,874,000 after purchasing an additional 37,167 shares during the last quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new position in First Bancshares in the third quarter worth approximately $389,000. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in First Bancshares during the third quarter valued at approximately $308,000. FMR LLC raised its position in First Bancshares by 50.8% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,194 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $103,000 after acquiring an additional 1,076 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new stake in First Bancshares in the third quarter valued at approximately $954,000. 69.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.