Fisher Asset Management LLC Has $15.13 Million Stake in Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB)

Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB) by 6.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 241,820 shares of the bank’s stock after purchasing an additional 13,917 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.35% of Ameris Bancorp worth $15,131,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Ameris Bancorp by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,880 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $243,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 17.9% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,332 shares of the bank’s stock worth $83,000 after buying an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 12,503 shares of the bank’s stock worth $780,000 after buying an additional 258 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 7,371 shares of the bank’s stock worth $461,000 after buying an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 56.1% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,113 shares of the bank’s stock worth $69,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.64% of the company’s stock.

Ameris Bancorp Trading Down 1.0 %

NASDAQ:ABCB opened at $63.95 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.42 billion, a PE ratio of 12.27 and a beta of 1.06. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $64.30 and its 200 day moving average is $64.20. Ameris Bancorp has a 12 month low of $44.22 and a 12 month high of $74.56.

Ameris Bancorp Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This is a boost from Ameris Bancorp’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. Ameris Bancorp’s payout ratio is 15.36%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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