Entropy Technologies LP Acquires New Position in The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS)

Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 6,311 shares of the bank’s stock, valued at approximately $203,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Elizabeth Park Capital Advisors Ltd. bought a new position in First Bancshares in the second quarter valued at about $4,548,000. Algebris UK Ltd bought a new stake in shares of First Bancshares during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $3,492,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in First Bancshares by 7.0% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,404,491 shares of the bank’s stock worth $36,487,000 after purchasing an additional 91,314 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in First Bancshares by 65.0% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 231,635 shares of the bank’s stock worth $6,018,000 after purchasing an additional 91,269 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning lifted its stake in First Bancshares by 310.0% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 91,591 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $2,380,000 after purchasing an additional 69,254 shares during the last quarter. 69.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

First Bancshares Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of FBMS opened at $36.37 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $33.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $29.77. The First Bancshares, Inc. has a 12 month low of $22.96 and a 12 month high of $38.21. The company has a market capitalization of $1.13 billion, a PE ratio of 16.46 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33.

First Bancshares Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.75%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 8th. First Bancshares’s payout ratio is presently 45.25%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

FBMS has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of First Bancshares from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $31.00 to $40.00 in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Janney Montgomery Scott cut First Bancshares from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, October 24th. Hovde Group lifted their price target on First Bancshares from $29.00 to $32.50 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on First Bancshares in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. They issued a “sell” rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $35.50.

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.