Strategic Financial Concepts LLC Makes New Investment in The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS)

Strategic Financial Concepts LLC bought a new position in The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 179,900 shares of the bank's stock, valued at approximately $6,296,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC owned about 0.58% of First Bancshares as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of First Bancshares by 73.2% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,960 shares of the bank's stock valued at $95,000 after purchasing an additional 1,251 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in shares of First Bancshares by 50.8% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,194 shares of the bank's stock valued at $103,000 after buying an additional 1,076 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of First Bancshares during the 3rd quarter valued at $203,000. Verition Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of First Bancshares in the 3rd quarter worth $236,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of First Bancshares in the third quarter worth $308,000. Institutional investors own 69.95% of the company's stock.

First Bancshares Stock Performance

FBMS traded down $0.60 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $37.05. The company had a trading volume of 99,093 shares, compared to its average volume of 139,978. The First Bancshares, Inc. has a 1 year low of $22.96 and a 1 year high of $39.21. 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 company has a market cap of $1.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.18 and a beta of 0.94. The business has a 50-day moving average of $36.13 and a two-hundred day moving average of $34.55.

First Bancshares Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.70%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. First Bancshares's payout ratio is 40.98%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

FBMS has been the topic of several research reports. Janney Montgomery Scott cut First Bancshares from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective 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. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of First Bancshares in a research report on Monday. They set a "sell" rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $38.75.

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.