Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Has $172.42 Million Stake in First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lowered its stake in shares of First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP - Free Report) by 2.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,274,710 shares of the bank's stock after selling 226,059 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned about 5.66% of First BanCorp. worth $172,417,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in First BanCorp. in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management grew its position in First BanCorp. by 48.2% during the fourth quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 1,580 shares of the bank's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 514 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in First BanCorp. by 31.9% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,243 shares of the bank's stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 542 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in First BanCorp. in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in First BanCorp. by 394.8% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 3,800 shares of the bank's stock valued at $70,000 after acquiring an additional 3,032 shares in the last quarter. 97.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

First BanCorp. Price Performance

Shares of FBP stock traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $19.71. The company had a trading volume of 135,757 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,077,165. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.88, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.90. First BanCorp. has a 12 month low of $16.40 and a 12 month high of $22.40. The firm's fifty day moving average is $18.56 and its 200 day moving average is $19.54.

First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The bank reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.04. First BanCorp. had a return on equity of 18.89% and a net margin of 24.37%. The firm had revenue of $248.13 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $243.08 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.44 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that First BanCorp. will post 1.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

First BanCorp. Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 29th. First BanCorp.'s dividend payout ratio is currently 39.13%.

Insider Buying and Selling at First BanCorp.

In other First BanCorp. news, EVP Carlos Power sold 10,321 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.75, for a total value of $214,160.75. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 176,222 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,656,606.50. The trade was a 5.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 2.30% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently weighed in on FBP shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on First BanCorp. from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on shares of First BanCorp. from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, First BanCorp. currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price 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.