First Bancorp (FBNC) Stock Forecast & Price Target

First Bancorp has demonstrated strong stock performance, with shares appreciating approximately 16.4% following earnings reports, significantly outperforming the KRX index by 13.6%. The bank's year-to-date performance in 2025 further underscores this positive trend, as the stock has risen by 24.2%. Furthermore, potential avenues for increasing earnings per share (EPS) and return on assets (ROA) include enhanced loan growth, improved net interest margin (NIM) from asset repricing, and strategic bond restructures reminiscent of prior successful strategies.

The analysis indicates that First Bancorp's profitability may be significantly impacted by the potential deterioration of the markets in which it operates. Additionally, there is a risk that credit costs could surpass expectations, which could further strain the bank's financial performance. These factors collectively point to an unfavorable outlook for the company, as they suggest heightened challenges in maintaining profitability and managing expenses.