Rafferty Asset Management LLC Lowers Position in The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS)

Rafferty Asset Management LLC reduced its stake in The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBMS) by 43.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 26,943 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 20,482 shares during the quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC’s holdings in First Bancshares were worth $943,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of FBMS. Susquehanna International Group LLP raised its position in First Bancshares by 436.7% in the 4th quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 376,549 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $13,179,000 after buying an additional 306,390 shares during the last quarter. Gardner Lewis Asset Management L P raised its position in First Bancshares by 346.5% in the 4th quarter. Gardner Lewis Asset Management L P now owns 360,555 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $12,619,000 after buying an additional 279,812 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in First Bancshares in the 4th quarter valued at $6,296,000. ABC Arbitrage SA purchased a new stake in First Bancshares in the 4th quarter valued at $4,543,000. Finally, Credit Industriel ET Commercial purchased a new stake in First Bancshares in the 4th quarter valued at $3,500,000. 69.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on First Bancshares in a research note on Friday, May 16th. They issued a “hold” rating for the company.

First Bancshares Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NASDAQ:FBMS opened at $33.75 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.05 billion, a PE ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $34.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $35.34. The First Bancshares, Inc. has a 1 year low of $23.60 and a 1 year high of $39.21.

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.