First Community Bancshares (NASDAQ:FCBC) Share Price Crosses Above 200 Day Moving Average - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• FCBC shares rose above their 200-day moving average, reaching $47.75 and last trading at $47.34 versus a $45.12 average. Despite the technical strength, analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating.
• First Community Bancshares reported quarterly EPS of $0.76, exceeding the $0.74 estimate, while revenue reached $81.71 million. The company also increased its quarterly dividend to $0.33, representing a 2.8% annual yield.
• Company insiders recently sold shares: the president and a senior vice president reduced their holdings by roughly 38% and 35%, respectively. Insiders own 3.66% of the stock, while institutional investors hold 34.95%.

Shares of First Community Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCBC - Get Free Report) passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday. The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $45.12 and traded as high as $47.75. First Community Bancshares shares last traded at $47.34, with a volume of 143,201 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FCBC has been the topic of several analyst reports. Zacks Research raised shares of First Community Bancshares to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Raymond James Financial initiated coverage on First Community Bancshares in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. They issued a "market perform" rating for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings downgraded First Community Bancshares from a "buy (b)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold".

First Community Bancshares Stock Down 0.6%

The company has a market cap of $895.20 million, a P/E ratio of 14.93 and a beta of 0.49. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $48.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $45.12.

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, topping the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.02. First Community Bancshares had a net margin of 28.84% and a return on equity of 10.67%. The business had revenue of $81.71 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $51.20 million. Analysts expect that First Community Bancshares, Inc. will post 3.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

First Community Bancshares Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 7th were paid a $0.33 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 7th. 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 dividend yield of 2.8%. First Community Bancshares's dividend payout ratio is presently 41.64%.

Insider Activity

In other First Community Bancshares news, President Gary R. Mills sold 3,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.67, for a total value of $166,845.00. Following the sale, the president owned 5,798 shares of the company's stock, valued at $276,390.66. This trade represents a 37.64% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Sarah W. Harmon sold 4,329 shares of First Community Bancshares stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.21, for a total value of $213,030.09. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 8,141 shares in the company, valued at approximately $400,618.61. This represents a 34.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 3.66% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Community Bancshares

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of FCBC. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its position in 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 acquiring an additional 418 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new position in First Community Bancshares during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in First Community Bancshares by 333.2% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,070 shares of the bank's stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 823 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. bought a new stake in First Community Bancshares in the 2nd quarter valued at $115,000. Finally, Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC boosted its holdings in First Community Bancshares by 58.9% in the 2nd quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC now owns 12,144 shares of the bank's stock valued at $539,000 after purchasing an additional 4,500 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 34.95% of the company's stock.

About First Community Bancshares

First Community Bancshares, Inc is a bank holding company headquartered in Bluefield, Virginia. Through its subsidiary, First Community Bank, the company provides community banking services to individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations and local governments.

First Community Bank offers consumer and commercial deposit accounts, residential mortgages, commercial and industrial loans, real estate financing, agricultural lending and other credit products. Its services also include online and mobile banking, treasury management, wealth management, trust and investment services, and insurance-related offerings.

Founded in 1874, First Community has developed a regional banking presence in communities across Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

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