First Community Bancshares (NASDAQ:FCBC) Sets New 1-Year High - Time to Buy?

Key Points

• First Community Bancshares reached a new 52-week high of $50, with the stock recently trading near $49.27. Its market capitalization is approximately $934.8 million, with a P/E ratio of 15.64.
• The bank reported quarterly EPS of $0.76, beating estimates by $0.02, while revenue reached $81.71 million. Analysts remain cautious, with one Buy rating and two Hold ratings for an average recommendation of Hold.
• First Community Bancshares raised its quarterly dividend from $0.31 to $0.33 per share, equivalent to an annualized dividend of $1.32 and a 2.7% yield. An insider also sold 3,500 shares, while institutional investors own 34.95% of the company.

First Community Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCBC - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as $50.00 and last traded at $49.2650, with a volume of 5291 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $49.01.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on FCBC. Raymond James Financial assumed coverage on First Community Bancshares in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. They issued a "market perform" rating on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of First Community Bancshares to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of First Community Bancshares from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, First Community Bancshares has an average rating of "Hold".

First Community Bancshares Stock Up 0.9%

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $45.41 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $42.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $934.83 million, a P/E ratio of 15.64 and a beta of 0.48.

First Community Bancshares (NASDAQ:FCBC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The bank reported $0.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.02. First Community Bancshares had a return on equity of 10.82% and a net margin of 28.84%.The company had revenue of $81.71 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $51.20 million. On average, research analysts predict that First Community Bancshares, Inc. will post 3.04 earnings per share for the current year.

First Community Bancshares Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 7th will be given a $0.33 dividend. This is a boost from First Community Bancshares's previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 7th. First Community Bancshares's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other First Community Bancshares news, President Gary R. Mills sold 3,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.67, for a total transaction of $166,845.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president owned 5,798 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $276,390.66. The trade was a 37.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 3.66% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Community Bancshares

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new position in First Community Bancshares during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in First Community Bancshares in the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of First Community Bancshares by 78.0% during the third quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC now owns 1,143 shares of the bank's stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 501 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in shares of First Community Bancshares by 1,717.1% during the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,381 shares of the bank's stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 1,305 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its holdings in shares of First Community Bancshares by 56.0% during the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,608 shares of the bank's stock worth $63,000 after buying an additional 577 shares in the last quarter. 34.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About First Community Bancshares

First Community Bancshares, Inc NASDAQ: FCBC is a bank holding company headquartered in Mebane, North Carolina, that delivers banking and financial services through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Community Bank. The company’s core focus is on relationship-driven community banking, offering clients a blend of personalized service and competitive digital banking capabilities. It serves a diverse clientele that includes individuals, families, small and mid-sized businesses, nonprofit organizations and professional practices.

The bank provides a broad spectrum of deposit products, such as checking, savings, money market and certificate of deposit accounts, alongside treasury management and payment processing solutions.

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