First Community (NASDAQ:FCCO) Stock Price Crosses Above 200-Day Moving Average - What's Next?

Key Points

• First Community Corporation's stock price recently surpassed its 200-day moving average, reaching a high of $27.76, indicating potential upward momentum in share performance.
• The company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS), exceeding analysts' estimates, and achieved a net margin of 15.87% for the last quarter.
• First Community announced an increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.15 to $0.16, reflecting a 2.3% yield, which signals growing shareholder returns.

First Community Corporation (NASDAQ:FCCO - Get Free Report)'s stock price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $24.56 and traded as high as $27.76. First Community shares last traded at $27.38, with a volume of 19,946 shares trading hands.

First Community Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $210.28 million, a PE ratio of 12.28 and a beta of 0.50. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $26.90 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $24.56.

First Community (NASDAQ:FCCO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The bank reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.09. First Community had a net margin of 15.87% and a return on equity of 11.65%. The firm had revenue of $19.53 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.56 million. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that First Community Corporation will post 2.28 EPS for the current year.

First Community Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 19th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 5th were paid a $0.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 5th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. This is an increase from First Community's previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. First Community's dividend payout ratio is 28.70%.

Insider Transactions at First Community

In related news, Director Roderick M. Todd, Jr. sold 1,679 shares of First Community stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.00, for a total value of $47,012.00. Following the sale, the director owned 11,866 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $332,248. This trade represents a 12.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 5.92% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Community

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in First Community by 324.2% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,349 shares of the bank's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 1,031 shares during the period. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of First Community by 4.4% during the second quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 23,716 shares of the bank's stock worth $578,000 after buying an additional 999 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in shares of First Community by 76.8% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,746 shares of the bank's stock worth $189,000 after buying an additional 3,365 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of First Community during the second quarter worth $182,000. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of First Community during the second quarter worth $99,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.25% of the company's stock.

About First Community

First Community Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Community Bank that provides various commercial and retail banking products and services to small-to-medium sized businesses, professionals, and individuals. The company operates through Commercial and Retail Banking, Mortgage Banking, and Investment Advisory and Non-Deposit segments.

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