Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB) Shares Purchased by Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its position in Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB) by 23.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 57,504 shares of the bank’s stock after buying an additional 10,796 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas owned approximately 0.08% of Ameris Bancorp worth $3,598,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Natixis Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 2.8% in the third quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 23,599 shares of the bank’s stock worth $1,472,000 after acquiring an additional 646 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its position in Ameris Bancorp by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 62,566 shares of the bank’s stock worth $3,903,000 after purchasing an additional 3,005 shares during the period. Pathstone Holdings LLC raised its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 5.8% during the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC now owns 25,065 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $1,564,000 after buying an additional 1,364 shares during the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 152.3% in the 3rd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 15,599 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $973,000 after buying an additional 9,417 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Ameris Bancorp by 9.5% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 907,140 shares of the bank’s stock worth $56,596,000 after buying an additional 79,060 shares during the last quarter. 91.64% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Insider Transactions at Ameris Bancorp

In other news, insider Douglas D. Strange acquired 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $56.95 per share, for a total transaction of $56,950.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 19,403 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,105,000.85. This represents a 5.43 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 5.50% of the company’s stock.

Ameris Bancorp Trading Up 2.8 %

Shares of NASDAQ:ABCB opened at $59.41 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.40 and a beta of 1.02. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $63.10 and its 200-day moving average price is $63.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.00. Ameris Bancorp has a 1 year low of $44.23 and a 1 year high of $74.56.

Ameris Bancorp Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.35%. Ameris Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 15.36%.

About Ameris Bancorp

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.