First Community Bancshares (NASDAQ:FCBC) Share Price Breaks Above 200-Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• First Community Bancshares shares broke above their 200-day moving average, reaching $47.47 and last trading at $47.43, compared with a 200-day average of $44.57.
• Analysts have a consensus “Hold” rating: one analyst rates the stock a Buy and two rate it Hold. The bank recently exceeded quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $0.76 versus the $0.74 consensus estimate.
• The company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.33 per share, implying a 2.8% yield, while two senior executives recently sold shares and reduced their holdings.

First Community Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCBC - Get Free Report)'s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday. The stock has a 200-day moving average of $44.57 and traded as high as $47.47. First Community Bancshares shares last traded at $47.43, with a volume of 63,981 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Raymond James Financial initiated coverage on shares of First Community Bancshares in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. They issued a "market perform" rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of First Community Bancshares from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of First Community Bancshares to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, First Community Bancshares presently has a consensus rating of "Hold".

First Community Bancshares Stock Up 1.4%

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $48.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $44.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $896.90 million, a PE ratio of 14.96 and a beta of 0.47.

First Community Bancshares (NASDAQ:FCBC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 10.67% and a net margin of 28.84%.The firm had revenue of $81.71 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $51.20 million. Equities research analysts expect 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 declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 7th were given a dividend of $0.33 per share. This is a boost from First Community Bancshares's previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 7th. First Community Bancshares's dividend payout ratio is currently 41.64%.

Insider Activity at First Community Bancshares

In related news, SVP Sarah W. Harmon sold 4,329 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.21, for a total transaction of $213,030.09. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 8,141 shares of the company's stock, valued at $400,618.61. This represents a 34.72% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, President Gary R. Mills sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.67, for a total transaction of $166,845.00. Following the sale, the president owned 5,798 shares in the company, valued at approximately $276,390.66. This trade represents a 37.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 3.66% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Community Bancshares

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its position in shares of First Community Bancshares by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 35,959 shares of the bank's stock worth $1,205,000 after purchasing an additional 418 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First Community Bancshares in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. purchased a new position in First Community Bancshares during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $115,000. Eurizon Capital SGR S.p.A. purchased a new position in First Community Bancshares during the 4th quarter worth approximately $89,000. Finally, Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC increased its position in First Community Bancshares by 58.9% during the second quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC now owns 12,144 shares of the bank's stock worth $539,000 after buying an additional 4,500 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 34.95% of the company's stock.

First Community Bancshares Company Profile

First Community Bancshares, Inc is a bank holding company headquartered in Bluefield, Virginia. Its principal subsidiary, First Community Bank, provides financial services to individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations and public-sector customers through a community banking model.

The bank offers deposit products, consumer and commercial lending, residential mortgage loans, online and mobile banking, treasury management and other traditional banking services. It also provides investment, trust, wealth management and insurance services through affiliated or related business lines.

First Community Bank serves communities across Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee through a network of branches and offices.

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