Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Makes New Investment in First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new position in First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 248,801 shares of the bank's stock, valued at approximately $4,625,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned approximately 0.15% of First BanCorp. as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in First BanCorp. by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,462,121 shares of the bank's stock worth $398,981,000 after buying an additional 63,304 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in First BanCorp. by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 6,724,074 shares of the bank's stock worth $125,001,000 after buying an additional 78,129 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its position in First BanCorp. by 42.8% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 4,871,338 shares of the bank's stock worth $90,558,000 after buying an additional 1,460,789 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in First BanCorp. by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,462,862 shares of the bank's stock worth $82,981,000 after buying an additional 76,256 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in First BanCorp. by 10.2% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,685,588 shares of the bank's stock worth $49,926,000 after buying an additional 248,335 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.91% of the company's stock.

First BanCorp. Stock Down 1.0%

Shares of First BanCorp. stock traded down $0.20 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $19.84. 766,916 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,106,025. The company has a market cap of $3.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.93. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $19.40 and its 200 day simple moving average is $19.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.81. First BanCorp. has a 52 week low of $16.40 and a 52 week high of $22.40.

First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The bank reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $248.13 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $243.08 million. First BanCorp. had a net margin of 24.37% and a return on equity of 18.89%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.44 EPS. Equities analysts expect that First BanCorp. will post 1.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

First BanCorp. Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 29th will be given a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 29th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.63%. First BanCorp.'s dividend payout ratio is 39.13%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of First BanCorp. from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, April 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $22.80.

About First BanCorp.

First BanCorp. operates as a bank holding company for FirstBank Puerto Rico that provides a range of financial products and services to consumers and commercial customers. The company operates through six segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, Mortgage Banking, Consumer (Retail) Banking, Treasury and Investments, United States Operations, and Virgin Islands Operations.