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

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

Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on FBMS. Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded First Bancshares from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, October 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of First Bancshares from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $37.17.

First Bancshares Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of First Bancshares stock opened at $34.96 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.09 billion, a PE ratio of 15.82 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $35.59 and its 200 day moving average is $31.92. First Bancshares has a 1 year low of $22.96 and a 1 year high of $39.08.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Bancshares

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in First Bancshares during the 2nd quarter worth about $36,000. Quest Partners LLC bought a new stake in First Bancshares in the second quarter worth approximately $89,000. CWM LLC lifted its stake in First Bancshares by 73.2% in 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 during the period. FMR LLC grew its holdings in First Bancshares by 50.8% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,194 shares of the bank’s stock worth $103,000 after purchasing an additional 1,076 shares during the period. Finally, Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new stake in First Bancshares in the third quarter worth $203,000. Institutional investors own 69.95% of the company’s stock.

First Bancshares Company Profile

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.