Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC Cuts Stock Position in The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS)

Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC trimmed its position in shares of The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS) by 4.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 72,075 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 3,306 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC’s holdings in First Bancshares were worth $2,523,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First Bancshares during the third quarter worth about $56,256,000. State Street Corp increased its stake in First Bancshares by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 971,246 shares of the bank’s stock worth $31,206,000 after buying an additional 28,215 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in First Bancshares by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 967,043 shares of the bank’s stock worth $33,847,000 after buying an additional 68,396 shares during the period. Magnetar Financial LLC lifted its holdings in First Bancshares by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Magnetar Financial LLC now owns 755,555 shares of the bank’s stock worth $26,444,000 after buying an additional 18,133 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in First Bancshares by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 675,448 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $21,706,000 after buying an additional 12,567 shares during the period. 69.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

First Bancshares Price Performance

Shares of FBMS opened at $33.75 on Thursday. 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 fifty day simple moving average is $35.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $35.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 0.92. The First Bancshares, Inc. has a twelve month low of $22.96 and a twelve month high of $39.21.

First Bancshares Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed 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%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on FBMS shares. StockNews.com started coverage on First Bancshares in a research note on Saturday, March 29th. 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 stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th.

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.