Analysts Anticipate First Community Co. (NASDAQ:FCCO) to Post $0.43 EPS

Equities research analysts expect First Community Co. (NASDAQ:FCCO – Get Rating) to post earnings of $0.43 per share for the current fiscal quarter, Zacks reports. Three analysts have provided estimates for First Community’s earnings, with the highest EPS estimate coming in at $0.44 and the lowest estimate coming in at $0.41. First Community reported earnings of $0.47 per share in the same quarter last year, which indicates a negative year over year growth rate of 8.5%. The firm is expected to announce its next earnings report on Monday, January 1st.

On average, analysts expect that First Community will report full-year earnings of $1.84 per share for the current fiscal year, with EPS estimates ranging from $1.80 to $1.89. For the next year, analysts forecast that the business will post earnings of $2.01 per share, with EPS estimates ranging from $1.85 to $2.13. Zacks Investment Research’s EPS averages are a mean average based on a survey of sell-side analysts that follow First Community.

First Community (NASDAQ:FCCO – Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 20th. The bank reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.43 by $0.03. First Community had a return on equity of 11.27% and a net margin of 25.54%.

Several research firms have recently weighed in on FCCO. StockNews.com began coverage on First Community in a report on Friday. They issued a “hold” rating for the company. Raymond James downgraded First Community from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 20th. Finally, Zacks Investment Research raised First Community from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 3rd.

FCCO stock opened at $19.21 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $145.23 million, a P/E ratio of 9.24 and a beta of 0.66. First Community has a twelve month low of $18.32 and a twelve month high of $23.42. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $20.63 and a 200-day simple moving average of $20.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.71%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 2nd. First Community’s dividend payout ratio is presently 25.00%.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of FCCO. Strategic Value Bank Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First Community during the fourth quarter worth $2,882,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of First Community during the third quarter worth $2,288,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in First Community by 40.1% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 315,983 shares of the bank’s stock worth $6,304,000 after acquiring an additional 90,415 shares in the last quarter. Fourthstone LLC purchased a new position in First Community in the third quarter worth $1,653,000. Finally, Banc Funds Co. LLC raised its position in First Community by 11.1% in the first quarter. Banc Funds Co. LLC now owns 400,522 shares of the bank’s stock worth $8,491,000 after acquiring an additional 40,018 shares in the last quarter. 56.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

First Community Company Profile (Get Rating)

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

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