First Citizens BancShares Stock (NASDAQ: FCNCA)

First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:FCNCA) Stock

First Citizens BancShares

First Citizens BancShares Inc is the bank holding company of First Citizens Bank & Trust Company. FCB was founded as the Bank of Smithfield in North Carolina and has expanded through both de novo branching and acquisitions. FCB currently operates in nearly half of the continental United States, but principally takes deposits in the Carolinas. The bank's operations have historically been influenced by the Holding family, which has traditionally held executive and director positions, as well as controlling a large percentage of its outstanding stock. FCB provides a wide range of retail and commercial banking services, including traditional lending and deposit-taking, as well as trust and wealth management. FCB's main source of revenue is net interest income.

wall_street_photo_by_marek_masik_on_shutterstock copy

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

Mid Cap

Sector ETFs

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Specialty ETFs

Commodities

Forex

Econ #s

Economics

ETFs

$BTC

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

ERIC

FCNCA

ISRG

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund

Wall Street paused for a breather on Friday, with the S&amp;P 500 index hovering around the flatline at midday trading in New York after a five-day rally that pushed the market to fresh record highs this week. Meanwhile, investor attention shifted to forex and gold markets.

Stocks Stall, Gold Nears Record Highs As Dollar Faces Worst Week Since July 2023: What&#39;s Driving Markets Friday?

Grand,Bank,Lobby,With,Atms,In,The,Background

Analyst Color

Equities

News

Markets

Trading Ideas

ALLY

FITB

HBAN

WTFC

Regional banks still have room to thrive, says Truist Securities in its note, highlighting three key paths for regional banks to succeed.

Regional Banks Can Thrive Despite Big Bank Dominance: Truist Securities Highlights Three Key Paths For Thriving Regional Banks

Are Banks Open?

Long Ideas

Market Summary

Price Target

Initiation

Analyst Ratings

General

NTRS

SCHW

Truist Securities initiated coverage on 24 stocks anticipating earnings and loan growth, steeper yield curve, and ample capital for expansion.

Yield Curve Normalization, Cheap Valuation, EPS Growth To Boost Banks In 2025: Truist Initiates Coverage On These 14 Regional Names

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. - Class A Common Stock

First Citizens BancShares Inc

WIIM

ARES

DOMH

EMCG

HOOD

IBKR

RILY

ROOT

SOFI

STEP

Shares of companies within the broader financial sector are trading lower amid overall market weakness. Investors may be evaluating the risk of inflation as the retail sector shows early signs of a weaker consumer.

An official report on February 10, 2025 reveals Representative Byron Donalds's recent purchase of First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) stock, valued between $7,007 and $105,000. The transaction took place on February 10, 2025, as per the February filing.
At this time, First Citizens BancShares shares are trading down 0.0% at $2154.57.
<h3>Representative's Recent Trading Activity</h3>
Over the past three years, Byron Donalds executed 8 trades totaling over $8 thousand. The largest of these trades were in AppFolio and McKesson stock. Some of the key transactions the Rep. has executed recently include: None
Here is a list of Byron Donalds's most recent trades:
If you want to stay updated on Byron Donalds's trades and other congressional members, check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/members/byron-donalds">government trades tool</a> to track their activity in real time!
<h3>Why Congressional Transactions Matter</h3>
A congressional transaction is when any representative or senator either buys or sells an individual stock.
Anyone working in Congress must file a Periodic Transaction Report to inform the public of their recent transaction within 30 days of being notified of the transaction and within 45 days of the transaction date.
In April 2012, Former President Barack Obama signed the STOCK Act into law. The act prohibits members of Congress from using private information given to them by their position for personal gain such as buying or selling a stock. The act also expanded disclosure requirements for members of Congress by requiring them to file a monthly disclosure.
<h3>Why Congressional Transactions Matter</h3>
Congressional transactions shouldn't be the primary reason for an investing decision, but they can be an important factor for an investor to consider.
When a senator or representative makes a new purchase, it could be an indication they expect the stock to rise.
A sale, on the other hand, can be made for a variety of reasons, and may not necessarily mean the seller thinks the stock will go down.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Government

Politics

Florida Rep. Byron Donalds Bought Over $7K Worth of First Citizens BancShares Stock: Here's What You Should Know

Truist Securities analyst Brian Foran maintains First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $2303 to $2384.

Truist Securities Maintains Hold on First Citizens BancShares, Raises Price Target to $2384

During the last three months, 10 analysts shared their evaluations of First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>), revealing diverse outlooks from bullish to bearish.
The table below provides a concise overview of recent ratings by analysts, offering insights into the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and drawing comparisons with the preceding months for a holistic perspective.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for First Citizens BancShares, presenting an average target of $2520.2, a high estimate of $2700.00, and a low estimate of $2250.00. This upward trend is apparent, with the current average reflecting a 10.39% increase from the previous average price target of $2283.00.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738008011_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Diving into Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Exploration</h2>
In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive First Citizens BancShares. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Jason Goldberg</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$2568.00</td>
<td>$2456.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Scouten</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$2250.00</td>
<td>$2100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Christopher Mcgratty</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$2600.00</td>
<td>$2500.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Elian</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$2600.00</td>
<td>$2550.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Foran</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$2303.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jason Goldberg</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$2456.00</td>
<td>$2250.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nicholas Holowko</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$2700.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bernard von-Gizycki</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$2600.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Christopher Mcgratty</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$2500.00</td>
<td>$2100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ryan Nash</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$2625.00</td>
<td>$2025.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to First Citizens BancShares. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of First Citizens BancShares compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Gaining insights, analysts provide estimates for the future value of First Citizens BancShares's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into First Citizens BancShares's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FCNCA/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on First Citizens BancShares analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know First Citizens BancShares Better</h2>
First Citizens BancShares Inc is the bank holding company of First Citizens Bank &amp; Trust Company. FCB was founded as the Bank of Smithfield in North Carolina and has expanded through both de novo branching and acquisitions. FCB currently operates in nearly half of the continental United States, but principally takes deposits in the Carolinas. The bank's operations have historically been influenced by the Holding family, which has traditionally held executive and director positions, as well as controlling a large percentage of its outstanding stock. FCB provides a wide range of retail and commercial banking services, including traditional lending and deposit-taking, as well as trust and wealth management. FCB's main source of revenue is net interest income.
<h3>Unraveling the Financial Story of First Citizens BancShares</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Falling below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a reduced size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Challenges: First Citizens BancShares's revenue growth over 3 months faced difficulties. As of 30 September, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -5.5%. This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Financials sector.
Net Margin: First Citizens BancShares's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 25.56% net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.
Return on Equity (ROE): First Citizens BancShares's ROE is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 2.87%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 0.28%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: First Citizens BancShares's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 1.69. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.
<h2>The Significance of Analyst Ratings Explained</h2>
Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Where First Citizens BancShares Stands With Analysts

Barclays analyst Jason Goldberg maintains First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $2456 to $2568.

Barclays Maintains Equal-Weight on First Citizens BancShares, Raises Price Target to $2568

Piper Sandler analyst Stephen Scouten maintains First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $2100 to $2250.

Piper Sandler Maintains Neutral on First Citizens BancShares, Raises Price Target to $2250

Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods analyst Christopher Mcgratty maintains First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $2500 to $2600.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Maintains Outperform on First Citizens BancShares, Raises Price Target to $2600

Wall Street paused for a breather on Friday, with the S&amp;P 500 index hovering around the flatline at midday trading in New York after a five-day rally that pushed the market to fresh record highs this week. Meanwhile, investor attention shifted to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/forex">forex and gold markets.</a>
The greenback is experiencing its worst weekly performance since July 2023, as President Donald Trump refrained from imposing new tariffs during his first week and escalated pressure on the Federal Reserve, urging the central bank to lower interest rates. The U.S. dollar index – tracked by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>) – dropped 0.7% on Friday, extending its weekly decline to 1.7%.
Adding to the dollar's downward momentum, the Bank of Japan raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 0.5%, the highest level since 2008, in a move that broadly met expectations.
Gold capitalized on the dollar's weakness and rising tensions between the president and the central bank, marking another week of strong gains and approaching all-time highs. The bullion, tracked by the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>), was trading at $2,777 per ounce.
On the macro front, S&amp;P Global reported a slowdown in private sector growth in January, as the services sector faced an unexpected setback, despite manufacturing expanding for the first<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43195427/us-services-growth-slows-manufacturing-finally-expands-in-january-inflation-was-broad-based-expert-warns"> time in seven months.</a>
A warning came from the University of Michigan's consumer survey, which downwardly revised the January consumer confidence indicator and pointed to increasing trends of households making purchases in advance to avoid potential price hikes <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43197024/consumer-confidence-declines-as-buying-in-advance-trends-grow">linked to tariffs.</a>
In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) climbed 2.5% following Trump's executive order signed on Thursday, aimed at strengthening U.S. leadership in digital assets. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Friday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,314.96</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,119.65</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,541.76</td>
<td>-0.1 %</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,861.02</td>
<td>-0.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 1:00 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent012425&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) eased 0.1% to $608.89.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;inched 0.1% lower to $444.96.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) slipped 0.4% to $530.73.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) stalled at $229.40.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) outperformed, up 0.9%; the&nbsp;Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) lagged, down 0.4%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Friday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>American Express Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>) fell 2.4% after reporting fourth-quarter results. </li>
<li>Other stocks moving on quarterly results were Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>), up 1.3%, NextEra Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEE#NYSE">NEE</a>), up 4%, HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HCA#NYSE">HCA</a>), down 3.2%, First Citizens BancShares Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>), up 3.1%, Ericsson (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ERIC#NASDAQ">ERIC</a>), down 14.3%, Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ISRG#NASDAQ">ISRG</a>), down 3.6%, Texas Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXN#NASDAQ">TXN</a>), down 7.1%, and CSX Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSX#NASDAQ">CSX</a>), down 2.8%. </li>
<li>Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) soared 8.1% after new weight loss drug amycretin showed strong trial results. </li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43198272/us-stocks-hit-dot-com-era-valuations-vs-bonds-why-some-experts-remain-bullish">US Stocks Hit Dot-Com Era Valuations Vs. Bonds: Why Some Experts Remain Bullish</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Stocks Stall, Gold Nears Record Highs As Dollar Faces Worst Week Since July 2023: What's Driving Markets Friday?

First Citizens BancShares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q4 adjusted EPS results.

First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $45.10 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $39.23 by 14.96 percent. This is a 3.18 percent decrease over earnings of $46.58 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $2.225 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $2.265 billion by 1.78 percent. This is a 16.49 percent increase over sales of $1.910 billion the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Beats

Earnings Misses

First Citizens BancShares Q4 2024 Adj. EPS $45.10 Beats $39.23 Estimate, Sales $2.225B Miss $2.265B Estimate

<h3>Companies Reporting Before The Bell</h3>
• Bright Scholar Education (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BEDU#NYSE">BEDU</a>) is expected to report earnings for its first quarter. 
• Moog Inc. Class A Common Stock (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MOG#NYSE">MOG</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $1.70 per share on revenue of $873.04 million. 
• Verizon Communications (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $1.10 per share on revenue of $33.73 billion. 
• South Plains Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPFI#NASDAQ">SPFI</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.68 per share on revenue of $49.16 million. 
• First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $39.14 per share on revenue of $2.21 billion. 
• Lakeland Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LKFN#NASDAQ">LKFN</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.90 per share on revenue of $63.09 million. 
• Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NWBI#NASDAQ">NWBI</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.25 per share on revenue of $141.53 million. 
• NextEra Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEE#NYSE">NEE</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.53 per share on revenue of $7.98 billion. 
• HCA Healthcare (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HCA#NYSE">HCA</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $6.16 per share on revenue of $18.23 billion. 
• Telefonaktiebolaget L M (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ERIC#NASDAQ">ERIC</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.18 per share on revenue of $7.01 billion. 
• American Express (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $2.98 per share on revenue of $17.14 billion. 
<h3>Companies Reporting After The Bell</h3>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

BEDU

LKFN

NWBI

SPFI

Earnings Scheduled For January 24, 2025

First Citizens BancShares's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NYSE">FCNCA</a>) short percent of float has risen 13.24% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 425 thousand shares sold short, which is 3.85% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 5.43 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>First Citizens BancShares Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737405012_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for First Citizens BancShares has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing First Citizens BancShares's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, First Citizens BancShares's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 0.97%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Looking Into First Citizens BancShares's Recent Short Interest

First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 13.93% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 25.29%. Currently, First Citizens BancShares has a market capitalization of $30.11 billion. 
Buying $1000 In FCNCA: If an investor had bought $1000 of FCNCA stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $9,532.86 today based on a price of $2152.52 for FCNCA at the time of writing.
<h3>First Citizens BancShares's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736979313_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $1000 Invested In First Citizens BancShares 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

In the current market session, First Citizens BancShares Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) share price is at $2063.99, after a 0.01% increase. Moreover, over the past month, the stock fell by 2.08%, but in the past year, spiked by 49.60%. Shareholders might be interested in knowing whether the stock is overvalued, even if the company is performing up to par in the current session. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736787611_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Comparing First Citizens BancShares P/E Against Its Peers</h3>
The P/E ratio is used by long-term shareholders to assess the company's market performance against aggregate market data, historical earnings, and the industry at large. A lower P/E could indicate that shareholders do not expect the stock to perform better in the future or it could mean that the company is undervalued. 
Compared to the aggregate P/E ratio of the 12.45 in the Banks industry, First Citizens BancShares Inc. has a lower P/E ratio of 11.82. Shareholders might be inclined to think that the stock might perform worse than it's industry peers. It's also possible that the stock is undervalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736787611_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In summary, while the price-to-earnings ratio is a valuable tool for investors to evaluate a company's market performance, it should be used with caution. A low P/E ratio can be an indication of undervaluation, but it can also suggest weak growth prospects or financial instability. Moreover, the P/E ratio is just one of many metrics that investors should consider when making investment decisions, and it should be evaluated alongside other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing a company's financial health, investors can make well-informed decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.

Intraday Update

Price Over Earnings Overview: First Citizens BancShares

Regional banks still have room to run and thrive even as it is &#8220;easy to overstate the advantage&#8221; for big banks, says Truist Securities in its latest note, highlighting three key paths for regional banks to succeed.
What Happened: Big banks have clear economies of scale, and they have been re-rated relative to small banks with the top five U.S. banks holding about 47% market share for a decade. According to the Truist Securities note, dated Jan. 6, the big banks are in a better position, but at the same time, individual regionals can position themselves to thrive.
Truist initiated coverage on 14 regional financial companies outlining three key strategies relating to pace, magnitude, and quality for the regional banks to remain competitive.
<ul>
<li>Differentiated Growth: Focus on unique and sustainable growth opportunities via differentiated customer base, a different form of fee Income and a niche business with competitive moat. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Disciplined Capital Allocation: Efficiently deploy capital to support growth and enhance shareholder value.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Adapt to changing market conditions, including interest rates, yield curve shifts, loan and deposit growth, and commercial real estate market dynamics.&#8221;</li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Regional Banks</td>
<td>Rating</td>
<td>Price Target</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FITB#NASDAQ">FITB</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$51</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HBAN#NASDAQ">HBAN</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>M&amp;T Bank (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTB#NYSE">MTB</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$233</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wintrust Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WTFC#NASDAQ">WTFC</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$151</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Citizens Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CFG#NYSE">CFG</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$49</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Comerica Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMA#NYSE">CMA</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$2,303</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KeyCorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KEY#NYSE">KEY</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Regions Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RF#NYSE">RF</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$25</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cards</td>
<td>Rating</td>
<td>Price Target</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ally Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALLY#NYSE">ALLY</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>American Express (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$350</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Capital One Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COF#NYSE">COF</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$229</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Discover Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DFS#NYSE">DFS</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$233</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Synchrony Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SYF#NYSE">SYF</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$72</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/01/42867184/yield-curve-normalization-cheap-valuation-eps-growth-to-boost-banks-in-2025-truist-initiates-coverage-on-these-14-regional-names">Yield Curve Normalization, Cheap Valuation, EPS Growth To Boost Banks In 2025: Truist Initiates Coverage On These 14 Regional Names</a>
Why It Matters: The three listed key paths for regional banks and card companies to thrive can be differentiated and linked to the stocks as mentioned by Truist in their research note.
Differentiated Growth Stories
<ul>
<li>Differentiated Customer Base: American Express Co has an exclusive high-end customer base, which would require an investment of over $100 billion to replicate, according to Truist. On the other hand, Fifth Third Bancorp has a unique ability to organically build a strong deposit market share.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Differentiated Form of Fee Income: Capital One Financial Corp has seen an expansion of network revenues following the acquisition of Discover. While, KeyCorp&#8217;s leading regional investment banking franchise will be favored by given the potential for increased deal activity driven by the Federal Reserve&#8217;s interest rate cuts and anticipated political changes.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Niche Business with Competitive Moat: Wintrust Financial Corp secures a dominant position in the highly profitable insurance premium finance market. Whereas, Huntington Bancshares Inc&#8216;s differentiated approach, including its expansion into new lending areas, will support its continued strong performance in loan, deposit, and fee growth across high-quality markets.</li>
</ul>
Disciplined Capital Deployment
<ul>
<li>Another way in which the regional banks could thrive includes a disciplined capital deployment which typically follows organic growth first, followed by dividends and buybacks, and potentially mergers and acquisitions. However, the key lies not in the order itself, but in the flexibility and agility with which banks can adjust their capital allocation strategy in response to evolving company, industry, and macroeconomic conditions.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Truist believes some banks are attractively valued for share repurchases. M&amp;T Bank Corp&#8216;s CFO in a recent conference hinted at higher buybacks in 2025.</li>
</ul>
Navigating The Evolving Landscape
<ul>
<li>According to Truist, it&#8217;s not unusual for multiple challenges to arise simultaneously. The current environment has witnessed sluggish loan and deposit growth amidst rapid interest rate hikes. However, it is anticipated that at least some of these headwinds will begin to abate in the coming year, leading to a more favorable environment for the banking sector</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>CRE Valuation: Banks with significant commercial real estate exposure in high-growth, high-income markets, such as Fifth Third and Huntington, are well-positioned for future CRE origination opportunities. M&amp;T and Citizens Financial Group Inc. will also benefit from an eventual improvement in market conditions.</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42836744/baby-its-cold-outside-these-5-winter-ready-stocks-have-what-it-takes-to-make-you-feel-warm-and-cozy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baby, It's Cold Outside: These 5 Winter-Ready Stocks Have What It Takes To Make You Feel Warm And Cozy</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Analysts at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/truist-securities">Truist Securities</a> initiated coverage on 24 large-cap, regional, and trust banks, as well as credit card companies. They anticipate strong earnings growth over the next two years, projecting an annual increase of 12-15% fueled by factors like improving loan growth, a steeper yield curve, and ample capital for expansion.
What Happened: Forecasting a favorable environment for banks in 2025 and 2026, the analysts at Truist foresee a less stringent regulatory environment, with more clarity and flexibility for banks regarding mergers and acquisitions, and the deployment of excess capital.
The note highlighted that the banking stocks were de-rated during the first two years of Trump 1.0 because the yield curve was flattened and late-cycle macro concerns surfaced, even as the administration enacted bank-friendly tax reform and regulatory tailoring. However, according to the brokerage, a little Fed easing and a steeper curve are necessary for the stocks to be re-rated and two rate cuts are expected in 2025, as hinted by Fed during their December meeting. 
According to Truist, while bank valuations have increased, they remain relatively attractive compared to historical levels. They currently trade at a price-to-book value (P/TBV) below their post-financial crisis average, and at a significant discount to the broader market. The note adds that given the current market valuations, bank stocks appear undervalued relative to the S&amp;P 500.
However, despite Truist beliefs that the sector offers attractive opportunities, careful stock selection is crucial according to them. &#8220;While we're not at &#8216;close your eyes and buy ‘em levels,&#8217; we still see attractive opportunities across the sector and view stock selection as increasingly important,&#8221; the note said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42836744/baby-its-cold-outside-these-5-winter-ready-stocks-have-what-it-takes-to-make-you-feel-warm-and-cozy">Baby, It&#8217;s Cold Outside: These 5 Winter-Ready Stocks Have What It Takes To Make You Feel Warm And Cozy</a>
Why It Matters: Truist&#8217;s coverage on 24 financial stocks is spread across three subgroups namely, large-cap, regional, and trust banks, which is initiated with a positive outlook.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Large-Cap Banks</h3>
The research note examines long-term investment potential of large U.S. banks as these institutions possess significant advantages, including, &#8220;embedded offense&#8221; with the presence of strong existing businesses and customer relationships.
It also anticipates cyclical tailwinds and capital leverage for such banks given a favorable economic environment and the ability to effectively utilize capital for growth.
These factors position large U.S. banks to achieve organic growth by the expansion of core businesses, double-digit earnings growth and an attractive returns on equity.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Large Cap Banks</td>
<td>Rating</td>
<td>Price Target</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$52</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Citigroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$85</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$82</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$260</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PNC Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PNC#NYSE">PNC</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$215</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>US Bancorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USB#NYSE">USB</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$54</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Regional Banks And Cards</h3>
Truist also initiated coverage on 14 regional financial companies outlining three key strategies for regional banks to remain competitive.
<ul>
<li>Differentiated Growth: Focus on unique and sustainable growth opportunities.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Disciplined Capital Allocation: Efficiently deploy capital to support growth and enhance shareholder value.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Adapt to changing market conditions, including interest rates, yield curve shifts, loan and deposit growth, and commercial real estate market dynamics.</li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Regional Banks</td>
<td>Rating</td>
<td>Price Target</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FITB#NASDAQ">FITB</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$51</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HBAN#NASDAQ">HBAN</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>M&amp;T Bank (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTB#NYSE">MTB</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$233</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wintrust Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WTFC#NASDAQ">WTFC</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$151</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Citizens Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CFG#NYSE">CFG</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$49</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Comerica Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMA#NYSE">CMA</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$2,303</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KeyCorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KEY#NYSE">KEY</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Regions Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RF#NYSE">RF</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$25</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cards</td>
<td>Rating</td>
<td>Price Target</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ally Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALLY#NYSE">ALLY</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>American Express (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$350</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Capital One Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COF#NYSE">COF</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$229</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Discover Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DFS#NYSE">DFS</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$233</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Synchrony Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SYF#NYSE">SYF</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$72</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Trust Banks And Capital Markets</h3>
Truist anticipates gradual interest rate decreases, the eventual end of quantitative tightening, and a healthy economy and capital markets providing a competitive landscape to trust banks.
According to the analysts, investors should prioritize stocks with the potential for sustained operating leverage. Which is the ability to increase profitability significantly with relatively small increases in revenue. And stocks with strong capital returns, with high levels of income through dividends and share buybacks.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Trust Banks And Capital Markets</td>
<td>Rating</td>
<td>Price Target</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BK#NYSE">BK</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$91</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charles Schwab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHW#NYSE">SCHW</a>)</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$86</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Northern Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTRS#NASDAQ">NTRS</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$110</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>State Street (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STT#NYSE">STT</a>)</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$106</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42813271/as-billionaires-load-up-on-energy-stocks-given-trumps-proposed-policies-this-analyst-highlights-charlie-mungers-1962-oil-investment-which-can-outperform-all-the-rest">As Warren Buffett And Other Billionaires Load Up On Energy Stocks, This Analyst Highlights Charlie Munger&#8217;s 1962 Oil Investment Which Can &#8216;Outperform All The Rest&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

JP Morgan analyst Anthony Elian maintains First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $2550 to $2600.

JP Morgan Maintains Overweight on First Citizens BancShares, Raises Price Target to $2600

A stronger lending environment, stable credit and renewed confidence in valuations could set the stage for a multiyear rally on U.S. regional banks, with some analysts predicting up to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/regional-banks">20% upside in 2025.</a>
Three major investment banks — JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co., Bank of America and Goldman Sachs — released fresh outlooks on regional banks Tuesday, issuing rating changes, top stock picks and sector recommendations for 2025.
Overall, analysts at all three firms are optimistic. Goldman Sachs analyst Ryan Nash, for example, highlighted several factors likely to improve sector fundamentals in 2025:
<ul>
<li>Loan Growth Recovery: While still slow, loan growth is expected to accelerate to 6%-7% by the second half of 2025 as corporations resume borrowing.</li>
<li>Net Interest Income Growth: A steeper yield curve and the repricing of fixed-rate assets are anticipated to boost NII. Nash expects margins to expand from the current 3.03% to 3.31% in 2025.</li>
<li>Fee Income Rebound: Treasury management, payments, and capital markets are set to improve, helping banks diversify revenue streams.</li>
<li>Stable Credit Conditions: Credit losses, measured by net charge-offs, are projected to remain flat or decline, while reserves could decrease as economic clarity improves.</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li></li>
</ol>
According to Nash, the stocks of regional banks are trading at approximately 11.5 times estimated 2025 earnings—near their historical averages but with room for valuation expansion. 
The sector could generate returns on tangible common equity of 14%-15%, compared to 16% pre-2023.
This suggests the group could rise as much as 20% next year, according to Goldman Sachs, assuming the market gains confidence in forward earnings.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Goldman Sachs: Upgrades Zions, Downgrades Comerica</h3>
Goldman Sachs upgraded Zions Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZION#NASDAQ">ZION</a>) from Neutral to Buy. The firm predicts a significant upside for the stock, with shares potentially reaching $70 in 2025.
Goldman downgraded Comerica Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMA#NYSE">CMA</a>) from Buy to Neutral, citing challenges in deposit management, fee income pressure, and elevated expense growth. Comerica's margins are expected to improve in 2025. But Nash sees limited upside, with shares already trading near their fair value of $70.
Goldman's top picks for 2025 include Truist Financial Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TFC#NYSE">TFC</a>), Regions Financial Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RF#NYSE">RF</a>), KeyCorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KEY#NYSE">KEY</a>) and Citizens Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CFG#NYSE">CFG</a>).
Analysts remain positive on Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FITB#NASDAQ">FITB</a>), Huntington Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HBAN#NASDAQ">HBAN</a>) and First Citizens BancShares Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>).
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Case For Valuation Upside</h3>
JPMorgan Chase analysts are similarly bullish, indicating that regional banks are trading at just 1.4x their projected 2025 tangible book value, below the 1.8-2x historical range.
Anthony Elian, a JPMorgan analyst, said regional banks&#8217; valuations appear favorable relative to the broader market.
&#8220;While inflation remains above target, the steeper yield curve coupled with gradual rate cuts should serve as a favorable backdrop for regional banks,&#8221; Elian said. 
He expects the sector to attract more interest from generalist investors in 2025, further supporting valuations.
JPMorgan identified several regional banks with strong upside potential, including First Horizon Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FHN#NYSE">FHN</a>), Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNV#NYSE">SNV</a>) and Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PNFP#NASDAQ">PNFP</a>). These names are expected to benefit from rebounding loan demand, robust deposit bases, and favorable capital return dynamics.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Improving Regulatory Environment </h3>
Bank of America analyst Ebrahim H. Poonawala also indicated that regional banks are poised to outperform the broader market in 2025, citing stronger earnings growth, discounted valuations, and a more predictable regulatory environment.
While Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) remains BofA's top pick, the bank also flagged KeyCorp and Huntington Bancshares Inc. as preferred names within regional banks.
The analyst highlighted a favorable backdrop for small- and mid-cap regional banks, particularly those with exposure to rebounding loan demand and capital return opportunities. 
Among these, BofA sees First Horizon Corp. and Synovus as potentially strong performers.
Bank of America highlights that looser regulation is a positive tailwind for the sector.
&#8220;Headlines tied to regulatory&nbsp;changes&nbsp;(once Trump appointees take charge)&nbsp;could kick-in as a positive catalyst&nbsp;for stocks,&#8221; Poonawala said. 
&#8220;We see Fed Vice Chair Michael Barr&#8216;s decision to step down from his position as vice chair of supervision as the opening act.&nbsp;End to Fed&#8217;s QT&nbsp;program&nbsp;could also&nbsp;serve&nbsp;as a positive for deposit growth/pricing,&#8221; he added. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions</h3>
The SPDR S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRE#NYSE">KRE</a>) was 0.4% lower on Tuesday, while the Invesco KBW Bank ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KBWB#NASDAQ">KBWB</a>) rose by 0.5%. 
Read Now: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42822291/2025-industry-shake-up-goldman-highlights-kkr-raymond-james-hamilton-lane">2025 Industry Shake-Up: Goldman Highlights KKR, Raymond James, Hamilton Lane</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Upgrades

Downgrades

Reiteration

Federal Reserve

KBWB

PNFP

ZION

Are Regional Banks The Next Big Opportunity? Why Wall Street Analysts Expect Multiyear Rally

Truist Securities analyst Brian Foran initiates coverage on First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) with a Hold rating and announces Price Target of $2303.

Truist Securities Initiates Coverage On First Citizens BancShares with Hold Rating, Announces Price Target of $2303

Barclays analyst Jason Goldberg maintains First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $2250 to $2456.

Barclays Maintains Equal-Weight on First Citizens BancShares, Raises Price Target to $2456

Financing

Press Releases

TScan Therapeutics Refinances Existing Convertible Debt Facility with Term Loan for up to $52.5 Million from Silicon Valley Bank

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. Announces Date of 2024 Fourth Quarter Earnings Call

Venture Capital Fundraising in Healthcare Remains Healthy; Silicon Valley Bank Releases 15th Edition of Healthcare Investments and Exits Report

Linea Energy Closes Project Debt Financing for Pineview Solar in Georgia

NineDot Energy Announces $65 Million Equipment Financing

Silicon Valley Bank Releases 24th Annual State of the US Wine Industry Report

First Citizens Bank Commits $2 Million to Support Relief Efforts for Southern California Wildfires

Dividends

First Citizens BancShares Declares Dividends

First Citizens BancShares Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings

First Citizens Bank and Sixth Street Announce Launch of Sixty-First Commercial Finance to Provide Flexible Capital Equipment Financing Solutions to Middle Market Companies

TCRX

Bank of America

Banco Bradesco Sa American Depositary Shares

Bank Bradesco

Banco Bradesco Sa American Depositary Shares (each representing one Common Share)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Common Stock

BBVA

Barclays

Banco Santander Brasil SA American Depositary Shares, each representing one unit

Banco Santander

Citigroup

Fifth Third Bancorp

HDFC Bank

HSBC Holdings

ICICI Bank

ING Groep

Itau Unibanco Banco Holding SA American Depositary Shares (Each repstg 500 Preferred shares)

Itau Unibanco Holding

JPMorgan Chase

KB Financial Group

Lloyds Banking Group Plc American Depositary Shares

Lloyds Banking Group

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. Sponosred ADR (Japan)

Mizuho Financial Gr

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. Common Stock

Mitsubishi UFJ Finl Gr

Nu Holdings

NatWest Group plc American Depositary Shares, (each representing two (2) Ordinary Shares)

NatWest Group

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) Common Stock

PNC Finl Servs Gr

Banco Santander, S.A. Sponsored ADR (Spain)

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc Unsponsored American Depositary Shares (Japan)

Comments

First Citizens BancShares

Popular Channels

Tools & Features

Partners & Contributors

About Benzinga