First Bancshares (NASDAQ:FBMS) Now Covered by Analysts at StockNews.com

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

First Bancshares Price Performance

First Bancshares stock opened at $33.75 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $1.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 0.92. 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 business has a 50-day simple moving average of $35.06 and a 200 day simple moving average of $35.15. First Bancshares has a 52 week low of $22.96 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 added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC purchased a new position in shares of First Bancshares during the third quarter valued at approximately $56,256,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in First Bancshares by 4.9% during the 4th 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. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its holdings in First Bancshares by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,030,933 shares of the bank’s stock worth $36,083,000 after purchasing an additional 27,548 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 28,215 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of First Bancshares by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 967,043 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $33,847,000 after purchasing an additional 68,396 shares in the last quarter. 69.95% of the stock is currently owned by 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.