Inceptionr LLC Takes Position in Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB)

Inceptionr LLC bought a new stake in Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 6,430 shares of the bank’s stock, valued at approximately $402,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Ameris Bancorp during the 4th quarter worth approximately $51,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in Ameris Bancorp by 56.1% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,113 shares of the bank’s stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Ameris Bancorp by 17.9% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,332 shares of the bank’s stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in Ameris Bancorp by 167.5% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,431 shares of the bank’s stock worth $90,000 after purchasing an additional 896 shares in the last quarter. Finally, USA Financial Formulas acquired a new position in Ameris Bancorp during the 4th quarter worth approximately $98,000. 91.64% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ameris Bancorp Trading Down 1.1 %

Shares of NASDAQ ABCB opened at $58.91 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.02. Ameris Bancorp has a 52-week low of $44.22 and a 52-week high of $74.56. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $64.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $64.21. The stock has a market cap of $4.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.31 and a beta of 1.02.

Ameris Bancorp Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a $0.20 dividend. This is a boost from Ameris Bancorp’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. Ameris Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio is 15.36%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on ABCB shares. Raymond James reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $71.00 price objective (up from $67.00) on shares of Ameris Bancorp in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of Ameris Bancorp from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Finally, Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $71.00 price target on shares of Ameris Bancorp in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $70.50.

Ameris Bancorp Company Profile

Ameris Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for Ameris Bank that provides range of banking services to retail and commercial customers. It operates through five segments: Banking Division, Retail Mortgage Division, Warehouse Lending Division, SBA Division, and Premium Finance Division. The company offers commercial and retail checking, regular interest-bearing savings, money market, individual retirement, and certificates of deposit accounts.