Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB) Shares Acquired by Barclays PLC

Barclays PLC lifted its position in Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB - Free Report) by 5.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 148,046 shares of the bank's stock after purchasing an additional 8,045 shares during the quarter. Barclays PLC owned about 0.21% of Ameris Bancorp worth $9,264,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Picton Mahoney Asset Management raised its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 2,436.8% in the fourth quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 482 shares of the bank's stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 463 shares during the last quarter. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Ameris Bancorp in the fourth quarter worth about $51,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 56.1% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,113 shares of the bank's stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 17.9% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,332 shares of the bank's stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 167.5% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,431 shares of the bank's stock worth $90,000 after purchasing an additional 896 shares during the last quarter. 91.64% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Ameris Bancorp

In other news, insider Douglas D. Strange acquired 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $56.95 per share, for a total transaction of $56,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 19,403 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,105,000.85. This trade represents a 5.43 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 5.50% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on ABCB shares. Piper Sandler started coverage on Ameris Bancorp in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $74.00 price target for the company. Raymond James reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $71.00 price target (up from $67.00) on shares of Ameris Bancorp in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Stephens reiterated an "equal weight" rating and set a $71.00 price target on shares of Ameris Bancorp in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Piper Sandler Companies lifted their price target on Ameris Bancorp to $74.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $73.43.

Ameris Bancorp Price Performance

Shares of Ameris Bancorp stock traded up $0.96 on Monday, reaching $56.98. The company's stock had a trading volume of 537,186 shares, compared to its average volume of 390,139. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $56.97 and a 200-day moving average price of $62.64. The company has a market capitalization of $3.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.94 and a beta of 0.87. Ameris Bancorp has a 52-week low of $45.89 and a 52-week high of $74.56.

Ameris Bancorp Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st were paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.40%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. Ameris Bancorp's dividend payout ratio is presently 15.36%.

About Ameris Bancorp

Ameris Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for Ameris Bank that provides range of banking services to retail and commercial customers. It operates through five segments: Banking Division, Retail Mortgage Division, Warehouse Lending Division, SBA Division, and Premium Finance Division. The company offers commercial and retail checking, regular interest-bearing savings, money market, individual retirement, and certificates of deposit accounts.