PINE BLUFF, Ark., Oct. 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Simmons First National Corp. (NASDAQ:SFNC) today announced net income available to common shareholders of $28.9 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared to $23.4 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, for the same period in 2016, a 17.1% increase. Included in third quarter 2017 results was $721,000 in net after-tax merger-related and branch right-sizing costs as well as a $1.8 million gain on the sale of insurance lines.