Why First Bancorp (FBNC) is a Great Dividend Stock Right Now

Company Overview - First Bancorp (FBNC) is headquartered in Southern Pines and operates in the Finance sector [3] - The stock has experienced a price change of 0.27% since the beginning of the year [3] Dividend Information - First Bancorp currently pays a dividend of $0.22 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.09% [3] - The average dividend yield for the Banks - Southeast industry is 2.37%, while the S&P 500's yield is 1.57% [3] - The company's annualized dividend of $0.92 has increased by 4.5% from the previous year [4] - Over the last 5 years, First Bancorp has increased its dividend 2 times year-over-year, with an average annual increase of 4.32% [4] - The current payout ratio is 29%, indicating that 29% of its trailing 12-month EPS has been paid out as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Bancorp's earnings in 2025 is $3.54 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 27.80% [5] Investment Perspective - First Bancorp is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]