First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. (FCNCA) Down 7.1% — Should I Get Off This Ride?
First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. (FCNCA) was under pressure in the latest session, with the stock sliding 7.14% and losing $157.38 to close at $2,046.15, down sharply from the prior finish of $2,203.53. The pullback marks a decisive retreat from recent levels, leaving the shares increasingly on the defensive after a strong run earlier in the year. Trading activity also reflected a more subdued tone, with roughly 80,509 shares changing hands, running below the 90-day average volume of 116,424 and suggesting that the latest leg lower came amid lighter participation.
The stock is now losing ground relative to its own recent peak, sitting well below its 52-week high of $2,412.93 set on Jan. 24, 2025. That gap underscores how far the shares have retreated in a short span, reinforcing the sense that momentum has turned against the name for now. Within the large-bank space on the NASDAQ and NYSE, major peers such as JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Bank of America (BAC), and Royal Bank of Canada (RY) have generally shown less extreme day-to-day price swings, leaving First Citizens looking comparatively more volatile and more exposed to downside moves. Overall, the recent action paints a picture of a stock facing headwinds, with price sliding back from its highs and buyers showing less conviction at current levels.
Why First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. Price is Moving Lower
Weakness in First Citizens BancShares, Inc. ahead of its Q4 2025 earnings release is being driven by mounting concerns over decelerating fundamentals and softer top-line expectations. Analysts are projecting earnings per share in the $44.21–$44.24 range, modestly down year over year, but the bigger headwind is the anticipated 8% decline in quarterly revenue to about $2.21 billion. That projected contraction comes against the backdrop of trailing revenue growth already negative at roughly -3.7%, reinforcing the view that the post-SVB acquisition growth surge is normalizing. Even a slight positive Earnings ESP of +0.07% is not enough to offset investor unease that earnings resilience may be coming more from cost controls than sustainable loan and fee growth.
Pressure is also coming from the broader banking landscape, where large peers such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Royal Bank of Canada are generally perceived as better diversified and further along in adjusting to the current rate and credit cycle. In this context, FCNCA’s high absolute share price amplifies any downside moves around earnings disappointments or cautious guidance. The modest recent pullback as the stock traded around $2,144 suggests investors are de-risking ahead of the call, despite supportive signals like insider share purchases and a maintained dividend. With revenue under pressure, sector competition intense, and expectations reset lower from prior beats, caution is warranted as the market reassesses how much future growth is already priced into First Citizens’ shares.
What is the First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. Rating - Should I Sell?
Weiss Ratings assigns FCNCA a B rating. Current recommendation is Buy. Still, investors should be cautious about assuming this equates to low risk or smooth performance from here. Within the Financials group, First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. shares the same broad Buy category as Bank of America Corporation (BAC, B) and Royal Bank of Canada (RY, B), but it does so with several pressure points that could leave shareholders exposed if conditions turn less favorable.
On the surface, FCNCA’s fundamentals look impressive. The Excellent Growth Index, Excellent Efficiency Index, and Excellent Solvency Index all indicate a well-run institution with solid balance sheet strength and a 26.14% profit margin, a 10.38% return on equity and a forward P/E of 13.03 that doesn’t look extreme. However, revenue is actually contracting, with revenue growth at -3.74%. That deterioration raises the risk that recent profitability may be harder to sustain, especially if funding costs rise or credit quality worsens.
The market’s verdict has been more restrained than the internal fundamentals would imply. A Fair Total Return Index and Fair Volatility Index show that shareholders have not been consistently rewarded for the underlying strength. Performance has been uneven, and the ride has carried more risk than many income-oriented bank investors might prefer.
Income is another clear weak spot. The Weak Dividend Index signals limited support from regular cash payouts, which may leave FCNCA more vulnerable in risk-off markets than peers like JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM, B+) that combine solid operations with stronger income profiles. For investors, the B (Buy) rating acknowledges quality, but the mix of shrinking revenue, only fair total returns and a weak dividend profile argues for a cautious, closely monitored position rather than complacency.
About First Citizens Bancshares, Inc.
First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. is a financial holding company that operates primarily through its banking subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company. Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, it focuses on traditional commercial banking within the Financials sector, emphasizing core deposit-taking and lending activities. The bank targets a mix of retail, small business, middle-market, and commercial clients, but its footprint remains more regional and fragmented compared with larger nationwide competitors. Its product set centers on conventional offerings such as checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate financing, and consumer credit products, with less visible differentiation in specialized banking niches.
Beyond basic banking, First Citizens offers a range of treasury and cash management services, including lockbox, merchant services, and electronic payment solutions, but these services compete in a crowded field where scale and technology investment are critical. The company also provides limited wealth management and trust services, retirement accounts, and certain insurance and investment products, generally positioned as add-ons rather than clear category leaders. In an industry where digital capabilities, integrated platforms, and specialized sector lending can drive competitive advantage, First Citizens’ value proposition leans heavily on relationship banking and a branch-based model that faces structural pressure from more technologically advanced and nationally recognized banks.
Investor Outlook
With a B (Buy) Weiss Rating, First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. (FCNCA) offers a relatively favorable risk/reward profile, but investors should still watch sector-wide credit conditions, funding costs and regulatory shifts that could pressure profitability. Monitor how the stock behaves around recent support and resistance levels, as well as any changes to growth, efficiency or volatility that might impact its overall standing. See full rankings of all B-rated Financials stocks inside the Weiss Stock Screener.
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