First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP) Releases Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.03 EPS

First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP) released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The bank reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.52 by $0.03, Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $257.17 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $256.18 million. First BanCorp. had a net margin of 26.73% and a return on equity of 17.45%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.46 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from First BanCorp.’s conference call:

• Management reported a standout 2025 with over $1 billion in revenues, a record $345 million net income (EPS $2.15) and a 1.9% return on assets, driven by revenue growth and operating leverage.
• The bank is aggressively returning capital — repurchasing $150 million of shares in 2025, buying back $50 million in Q4, and raising the quarterly dividend 11% to $0.20, with a run-rate target of ~<$50 million> in buybacks per quarter in 2026.
• Asset quality improved or remained stable as NPAs fell to an all?time low of 60 basis points of assets, net charge-offs stayed roughly flat (63 bps), and the allowance for credit losses rose modestly to 1.9% of loans.
• Margin and funding dynamics are mixed — NIM was 4.68% (4.65% adjusted), benefited from lower deposit costs and reinvesting maturing securities, and management expects modest NIM expansion of ~2–3 bps per quarter in 2026 despite some downward pressure from repricing of floating commercial loans.

First BanCorp. Trading Up 5.0%

Shares of FBP stock opened at $21.93 on Wednesday. First BanCorp. has a 1 year low of $16.40 and a 1 year high of $22.60. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $20.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15.

First BanCorp. Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 26th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 26th. This is a positive change from First BanCorp.’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. First BanCorp.’s dividend payout ratio is 34.95%.

First BanCorp. News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting First BanCorp. this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat expectations: FBP reported $0.55 EPS vs. the $0.52 consensus and revenue of $257.2M vs. $256.2M; management highlighted strong margins and a 17.5% ROE. First BanCorp Exceeds Q4 Expectations
• Positive Sentiment: 2026 strategy: management outlined targeted 3–5% organic loan growth and a plan to return 100% of earnings to shareholders (dividends/repurchases), which supports yield and capital-return upside. Strategy & Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend hike: FBP raised the quarterly dividend to $0.20 (11% increase), implying a ~3.6% yield and signaling confidence in earnings and capital position; ex-dividend set for Feb 26. Dividend Increase
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrade: Hovde Group raised its price target from $25 to $26 and assigned an “outperform” rating, implying meaningful upside vs. current levels — a bullish catalyst for momentum.
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor resources: full earnings call transcript and deeper analysis are available for investors who want line-item detail on credit, deposits and capital; these provide color but no new headline surprises. Earnings Call Transcript Deep Dive

Institutional Trading of First BanCorp.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of FBP. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of First BanCorp. by 151.7% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,873 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 1,129 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its holdings in First BanCorp. by 328.8% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 2,950 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 2,262 shares in the last quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of First BanCorp. in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $210,000. Cerity Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of First BanCorp. in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $211,000. Finally, Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new stake in shares of First BanCorp. during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $217,000. 97.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on FBP. Truist Financial cut their target price on First BanCorp. from $25.00 to $24.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 27th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on First BanCorp. from $25.00 to $23.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Hovde Group boosted their target price on First BanCorp. from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on First BanCorp. in a report on Thursday, January 15th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $23.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of First BanCorp. in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, First BanCorp. currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $24.17.

First BanCorp. Company Profile

First BanCorp (NYSE: FBP) is a financial holding company headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Through its principal banking subsidiary, FirstBank Puerto Rico, the company offers a comprehensive range of banking services including commercial and consumer lending, deposit products, cash management solutions and treasury services. It also provides mortgage origination and servicing, equipment leasing, investment management, and insurance agency services.

In its commercial banking segment, First BanCorp serves small and midsize enterprises as well as large corporate clients, delivering tailored credit facilities, letters of credit, and foreign trade financing.