The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS) Shares Sold by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lowered its position in The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS) by 26.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 42,026 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 14,843 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ holdings in First Bancshares were worth $1,471,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vestcor Inc purchased a new position in First Bancshares in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. FMR LLC raised its stake in First Bancshares by 50.8% during 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. Centiva Capital LP boosted its holdings in First Bancshares by 17.8% in the 3rd quarter. Centiva Capital LP now owns 9,767 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $314,000 after purchasing an additional 1,476 shares during the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in First Bancshares by 10.0% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 28,944 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $1,013,000 after purchasing an additional 2,624 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of First Bancshares by 22.7% in the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 20,553 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $719,000 after buying an additional 3,802 shares during the period. 69.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

First Bancshares Stock Performance

Shares of FBMS stock opened at $33.74 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84. The firm has a market cap of $1.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 0.92. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $36.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $35.04. The First Bancshares, Inc. has a one year low of $22.96 and a one year high of $39.21.

First Bancshares Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 10th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.96%. First Bancshares’s dividend payout ratio is currently 40.98%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on First Bancshares in a report on Saturday. They issued a “sell” rating on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on First Bancshares from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th.

First Bancshares 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.