Financial Performance - Net income for Q3 2025 increased by $1.3 million to $5.2 million, or $0.67 diluted earnings per share, compared to $3.9 million, or $0.50 diluted earnings per share in Q3 2024[117] - Net interest income rose by $2.6 million, contributing significantly to the increase in net income[117] - Non-interest income increased by $899,000, indicating growth in fee-based services[117] - Provision for credit losses increased by $217,000, reflecting a cautious approach to potential loan defaults[117] - Total non-interest expense rose by $1.7 million, impacting overall profitability[117] - Income tax expense increased by $250,000, affecting net income[117] - Net interest income increased by $7.5 million to $45.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $38.2 million for the same period in 2024[145] - Non-interest income rose by $2.3 million to $12.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $10.4 million during the same period in 2024[160] - Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, increased by $4.7 million to $14.4 million, or $1.85 diluted earnings per share, compared to $9.7 million, or $1.26 diluted earnings per share, for the same period in 2024[143] Interest Income and Loans - Average loans rose by $80.7 million, or 6.7%, to $1.3 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2025, from $1.2 billion in the same period in 2024[121] - Net interest income increased by $2.6 million, or 19.3%, to $16.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $13.4 million for the same period in 2024[120] - The net interest margin improved by 0.31% to 3.26% during the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to 2.95% during the same period in 2024[120] - The yield on loans increased by 0.11% to 5.84% during the three months ended September 30, 2025, from 5.73% during the same period in 2024[121] - Average loans increased by $85.2 million, or 7.2%, to $1.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $1.2 billion for the same period in 2024[149] - The yield on loans increased to 5.78% during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up from 5.59% during the same period in 2024[149] Non-Interest Income - Non-interest income increased by $899,000 to $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, from $3.6 million in the same period in 2024[133] - Mortgage banking income increased by $359,000 to $934,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2025, with total production in the mortgage line of business reaching $51.6 million[134] - Investment advisory fees rose by $267,000 to $1.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2025, with total assets under management increasing to $1.1 billion[135] - Mortgage banking income increased by $913,000 to $2.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $1.7 million during the same period in 2024[162] - Investment advisory fees and non-deposit commissions rose by $958,000 to $5.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, from $4.5 million in the same period in 2024[163] Expenses - Total non-interest expense increased by $3.9 million to $13.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $12.0 million in the same period in 2024[138] - Salaries and employee benefits expense increased by $637,000 to $8.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2025, driven by normal salary adjustments and higher commissions[138] - Non-interest expense increased by $3.9 million to $39.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $35.6 million during the same period in 2024[167] - Salaries and employee benefits expense increased by $2.0 million to $23.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, from $21.8 million in the same period in 2024[167] Tax and Regulatory Considerations - The effective tax rate decreased to 21.19% during the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to 22.89% during the same period in 2024[123] - The effective tax rate decreased to 21.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2025, from 22.9% in the same period in 2024, due to a non-recurring adjustment[141] - The effective tax rate was 22.10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to 21.42% for the same period in 2024[171] Mergers and Acquisitions - A merger agreement with Signature Bank was entered into on July 13, 2025, with each share of Signature Bank common stock converting into 0.6410 shares of the company's common stock[111][112] - The company incurred merger expenses of $575,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2025, primarily for legal and professional fees related to the merger with Signature Bank[138] Asset and Deposit Growth - The company had $1.6 billion in pure deposits plus customer cash management repurchase agreements as of September 30, 2025, up from $1.4 billion a year earlier[125] - Total deposits increased by $95.3 million, or 5.7%, to $1.8 billion at September 30, 2025, compared to $1.7 billion at December 31, 2024[198] - Pure deposits, defined as total deposits less certificates of deposits, increased by $86.5 million, or 6.3%, to $1.46 billion at September 30, 2025[198] - Assets increased by $108.6 million, or 5.5%, to $2.1 billion at September 30, 2025, driven by increases in interest-bearing bank balances and loans held for investment[182] Capital and Liquidity - The Bank's Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio is 13.10%, significantly above the minimum requirement of 4.5%[225] - The Bank's total capital ratio stands at 14.15% as of September 30, 2025, exceeding the minimum requirement of 8.0%[231] - The Bank maintains a leverage ratio of 8.55% as of September 30, 2025, exceeding the minimum requirement of 4.0%[231] - The Bank's liquidity management strategy includes access to federal funds purchased lines totaling $102.5 million, with no utilization as of September 30, 2025[221] Dividend Policy - The Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.16 per common share for Q3 2025, payable on November 18, 2025, to shareholders of record as of November 4, 2025[232] - The ability to declare and pay dividends is subject to federal and state regulatory considerations, including guidelines from the Federal Reserve[232] - Regulatory policies may restrict the ability to pay dividends if a subsidiary bank becomes undercapitalized[232] - The company operates as a separate legal entity from the Bank and relies on the Bank's ability to pay dividends, which is also subject to regulatory restrictions[233]

Financial Performance - Net income for Q3 2025 was $5.192 million, a 34.5% increase year-over-year, and flat compared to Q2 2025[1] - Diluted EPS for Q3 2025 was $0.67, up 34.0% year-over-year, and flat on a linked quarter basis[2] - Net income for Q3 2025 was $5,007 thousand, down from $6,684 thousand in Q2 2025, a decrease of 25.1%[24] - The company reported a net income of $14,375,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $9,723,000 for the same period last year, indicating a year-over-year increase of 47.56%[27] Asset and Loan Growth - Total loans increased by $19.3 million in Q3 2025, representing a 6.1% annualized growth rate[7] - Average loans rose to $1,280,814 thousand in Q3 2025, compared to $1,200,150 thousand in Q3 2024, marking a year-over-year increase of 6.7%[23] - Total assets as of September 30, 2025, were $2,066,598 thousand, an increase from $2,046,265 thousand as of June 30, 2025[22] - Total assets reached $2,051,815 thousand as of September 30, 2025, compared to $1,915,700 thousand a year earlier, marking an increase of 7.09%[25] Deposit Growth - Total deposits rose by $17.1 million in Q3 2025, with a 3.9% annualized growth rate[8] - Total deposits reached $1,771,164 thousand as of September 30, 2025, compared to $1,754,041 thousand in the previous quarter[22] - Average deposits increased to $1,754,654 thousand in Q3 2025, compared to $1,621,159 thousand in Q3 2024, representing a growth of 8.2%[23] Income and Expense Metrics - Total non-interest income for Q3 2025 was $4.469 million, a 25.2% increase year-over-year[12] - Non-interest expense for Q3 2025 was $13.674 million, up from $13.083 million in Q2 2025, with marketing expenses increasing by $349 thousand and merger-related expenses rising by $341 thousand[15] - Total non-interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $39,511 thousand, an increase from $35,639 thousand in the same period of 2024, reflecting a rise of 10.5%[24] Capital and Equity - The book value per common share increased to $21.01 as of September 30, 2025, from $20.23 in the prior quarter[22] - Shareholders' equity increased to $158,014 thousand as of September 30, 2025, from $139,154 thousand a year earlier, representing a growth of 13.54%[25] - Common equity to assets (GAAP) was 7.82% for September 30, 2025, up from 7.60% in the previous quarter, representing a growth of 0.22 percentage points[27] Efficiency and Profitability Ratios - Return on average common equity improved to 13.04% in Q3 2025, compared to 11.04% in Q2 2025[24] - The efficiency ratio improved to 64.44% in Q3 2025, down from 70.48% in Q2 2025, indicating better cost management[24] - Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) improved to 14.40% for September 30, 2025, up from 12.39% in the same period last year, showing a significant increase of 2.01 percentage points[27] Acquisition and Strategic Initiatives - The company is in the process of acquiring Signature Bank of Georgia, with a special shareholder meeting scheduled for November 19, 2025, and financial closing expected in early Q1 2026[16] - The company approved a share repurchase plan of up to $7.5 million, representing approximately 4.6% of total shareholders' equity[4] Credit Quality - Non-performing assets (NPAs) ratio was 0.04%, indicating strong credit quality metrics[6] - Net charge-offs to average loans remained low at 0.00% for Q3 2025, compared to 0.02% in Q3 2024[23] Tax and Regulatory Considerations - The income tax expense in Q3 2025 benefited from South Carolina State tax credits amounting to $120,000[17] - The company faces risks related to the timely completion of the acquisition, regulatory approvals, and potential disruptions to client relationships[19]

Core Insights - First Community (FCCO) reported a revenue of $20.46 million for the quarter ended September 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 20.5% and exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $19.87 million by 2.98% [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the same period was $0.72, compared to $0.50 a year ago, resulting in an EPS surprise of 7.46% against the consensus estimate of $0.67 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - The net interest margin (taxable equivalent) was reported at 3.3%, aligning with the two-analyst average estimate of 3.3% [4] - The efficiency ratio stood at 64.4%, slightly above the average estimate of 64.2% based on two analysts [4] - Total non-interest income reached $4.47 million, surpassing the average estimate of $3.97 million from two analysts [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, shares of First Community have returned -6.2%, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.1% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Viewpoint - First Community (FCCO) reported quarterly earnings of $0.72 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.67 per share, and showing a year-over-year increase from $0.50 per share [1] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenues of $20.46 million for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.98%, compared to $16.98 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, First Community has consistently exceeded consensus EPS estimates and revenue estimates [2] Stock Performance - First Community shares have increased approximately 13.5% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 14.5% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.71, with expected revenues of $20.27 million, and for the current fiscal year, the EPS estimate is $2.56 on revenues of $78 million [7] - The trend of earnings estimate revisions is mixed ahead of the earnings release, which may influence future stock movements [5][6] Industry Context - The Banks - Southeast industry, to which First Community belongs, is currently ranked in the top 26% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8]

Financial Performance - First Community Corporation reported net income of $5.192 million for Q3 2025, a 34.5% increase year-over-year and flat compared to Q2 2025 [2][5] - Diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.67 for Q3 2025, unchanged from Q2 2025 but up 34.0% year-over-year [2][5] - Year-to-date net income through September 30, 2025, was $14.375 million, a 47.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [3][5] Capital Management - The Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.16 per share for Q3 2025, marking the 95th consecutive quarter of dividends [4][5] - A share repurchase plan of up to $7.5 million was approved, representing approximately 4.6% of total shareholders' equity as of September 30, 2025 [4] Asset Quality - The non-performing assets ratio was 0.04% of total assets, with a total past due ratio of 0.07% of total loans as of September 30, 2025 [4][5] - Net charge-offs during Q3 2025 were $13 thousand, indicating strong credit quality metrics [5][10] Loan and Deposit Growth - Total loans increased by $19.3 million in Q3 2025, reflecting a 6.1% annualized growth rate [4][5] - Total deposits rose by $17.1 million during Q3 2025, with customer deposits increasing by $27.6 million, a 6.3% annualized growth rate [4][5] Investment Portfolio - The investment portfolio was valued at $501.3 million as of September 30, 2025, with a yield of 3.41% [6] - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss improved to $20.2 million from $21.9 million in the previous quarter [6] Non-Interest Income - Total non-interest income for Q3 2025 was $4.469 million, a 6.3% increase from Q2 2025 and a 25.2% increase year-over-year [8][10] Regulatory Capital Ratios - As of September 30, 2025, the bank's regulatory capital ratios exceeded the well-capitalized minimum levels, with a Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 13.10% [4][15]

Company Overview - First Community (FCCO) is based in Lexington and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of 20.46% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.16 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.21%, which is slightly below the Banks - Southeast industry's yield of 2.29% and above the S&P 500's yield of 1.54% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of $0.64 represents a 10.3% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, First Community has increased its dividend three times, achieving an average annual increase of 5.74% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 27%, indicating that it paid out 27% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FCCO's earnings in 2025 is $2.56 per share, reflecting an expected increase of 41.44% from the previous year [5] Investment Appeal - FCCO is viewed as an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of identifying sustainable trends in stock prices for short-term investing, highlighting that while trends can be profitable, ensuring their longevity is challenging [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Performance - First Community (FCCO) has shown a solid price increase of 16.3% over the past 12 weeks, indicating strong investor interest [4]. - The stock has also maintained a price increase of 7.2% over the last four weeks, suggesting that the upward trend is still intact [5]. - FCCO is currently trading at 95% of its 52-week high-low range, indicating a potential breakout [6]. Group 2: Fundamental Strength - FCCO holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises [6]. - The stock has an Average Broker Recommendation of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting high optimism from the brokerage community regarding its near-term price performance [7]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - The article suggests using the "Recent Price Strength" screen to identify stocks like FCCO that are on an uptrend supported by strong fundamentals [3][8]. - It also mentions that there are over 45 Zacks Premium Screens available for investors to find stocks that align with their investment strategies [8].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of confirming the sustainability of stock trends for profitable short-term investing, highlighting the need for sound fundamentals and positive earnings estimates to maintain momentum. Group 1: Investment Strategy - The trend is a crucial factor in short-term investing, and confirming its sustainability is essential for profitability [1][2] - A predefined "Recent Price Strength" screen can help identify stocks on an uptrend supported by strong fundamentals [3] Group 2: Company Analysis - First Community (FCCO) - First Community (FCCO) has shown a solid price increase of 22.7% over the past 12 weeks, indicating investor confidence in its potential upside [4] - The stock has also increased by 10.7% over the last four weeks, suggesting that the upward trend is still intact [5] - FCCO is trading at 95.3% of its 52-week high-low range, indicating a potential breakout [6] Group 3: Fundamental Strength - FCCO holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises [6] - The stock has an Average Broker Recommendation of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting high optimism from the brokerage community regarding its near-term price performance [7] Group 4: Additional Insights - The price trend for FCCO is expected to remain positive, and there are other stocks that also meet the criteria of the "Recent Price Strength" screen [8] - The Zacks Rank 1 stocks have historically generated an average annual return of +25% since 1988, indicating a strong track record for this rating [7]

Core Insights - First Community Corporation (NASDAQ: FCCO) reported record-breaking Q2 2025 results, with assets under management exceeding $1 billion for the first time and earnings of $0.68 per share [1] Financial Performance - The company achieved a significant milestone by surpassing $1 billion in assets under management, indicating strong growth and investor confidence [1] - Earnings per share reached $0.68, reflecting positive financial performance in the second quarter [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of identifying and sustaining stock price trends for successful short-term investing, highlighting the need for strong fundamentals and positive earnings revisions to maintain momentum [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Performance - First Community (FCCO) has shown a solid price increase of 10.6% over the past 12 weeks, indicating investor confidence in its potential upside [4]. - Over the last four weeks, FCCO's price has increased by 3.4%, suggesting that the upward trend is still intact [5]. - FCCO is currently trading at 80% of its 52-week high-low range, indicating a potential breakout opportunity [6]. Group 2: Fundamental Strength - FCCO holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises, which are critical for near-term price movements [6]. - The stock has an Average Broker Recommendation of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting high optimism from the brokerage community regarding its near-term performance [7]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - The article suggests that investors can utilize the "Recent Price Strength" screen to identify stocks like FCCO that are on an upward trend supported by strong fundamentals [3][8]. - There are over 45 Zacks Premium Screens available for investors to find stocks that align with their investment strategies [8].