First Bancorp (FBNC) Upgraded to Strong Buy: Here's What You Should Know

Core Viewpoint - First Bancorp (FBNC) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which significantly influences stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of changing earnings estimates, which are closely correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Rising earnings estimates for First Bancorp indicate an improvement in the company's underlying business, suggesting potential for stock price appreciation [5][8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank stock-rating system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7][9]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a 'Strong Buy' rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions and potential for market-beating returns [10]. Recent Earnings Estimate Revisions - First Bancorp is projected to earn $3.47 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 25.3% [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Bancorp has risen by 6.2% [8].