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

Research analysts at StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of First Bancshares (NASDAQ:FBMS) in a report issued on Monday. The brokerage set a “hold” rating on the bank’s stock.

First Bancshares Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of First Bancshares stock opened at $33.75 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.05 billion, a PE ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 0.92. First Bancshares has a 52 week low of $22.96 and a 52 week high of $39.21. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $35.06 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $35.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Bancshares

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. FMR LLC grew its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 1,076 shares during the period. Verition Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of First Bancshares during the 3rd quarter valued at $236,000. Stifel Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of First Bancshares by 120.5% during the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 20,218 shares of the bank’s stock worth $650,000 after acquiring an additional 11,048 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its holdings in First Bancshares by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 971,246 shares of the bank’s stock worth $31,206,000 after acquiring an additional 28,215 shares during the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd bought a new stake in First Bancshares in the 3rd quarter valued at about $421,000. 69.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.