First BanCorp Upgraded to Strong Buy Following Q1 Results
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 27 2026
0mins
Should l Buy FBP?
Source: seekingalpha
- Earnings Beat: First BanCorp reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.57, exceeding expectations by $0.06, with revenue of $258.65 million, reflecting a solid financial performance with a 4.2% year-over-year growth.
- Robust Loan Growth: Despite softer consumer demand, loan originations grew by 6% year-over-year, and business activity in Puerto Rico remains strong due to reconstruction efforts, onshoring, and expanded U.S. military operations, indicating sustained market demand.
- Strong Profitability: The bank reported a return on assets (ROA) of 1.9% and a return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) of 18.7%, with expectations for continued earnings growth driven by loan growth, asset/liability repricing, and share repurchases.
- Price Target Increase: Analysts raised the price target from $26.00 to $27.00, reflecting confidence in the company's future performance, with the average Wall Street analyst rating on the stock standing at Buy.
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Analyst Views on FBP
Wall Street analysts forecast FBP stock price to fall
3 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 24.310
Low
24.00
Averages
24.25
High
24.50
Current: 24.310
Low
24.00
Averages
24.25
High
24.50
About FBP
First BanCorp. is a financial holding company. As of December 31, 2016, the Company controlled two subsidiaries: FirstBank Puerto Rico (the Bank or FirstBank) and FirstBank Insurance Agency, Inc. (FirstBank Insurance Agency). It operates in six segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, which consists of lending and other services; Consumer (Retail) Banking, which consists of consumer lending and deposit-taking activities; Mortgage Banking, which consists of the origination, sale, and servicing of a range of residential mortgage loan products and related hedging activities; Treasury and Investments, which consists of treasury and investment management functions; United States Operations, which consists of all banking activities conducted by FirstBank on the United States mainland, and Virgin Islands Operations, which consists of banking activities conducted by FirstBank in the United States Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands, including retail and commercial banking services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
First BanCorp Upgraded to Strong Buy Following Q1 Results
- Earnings Beat: First BanCorp reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.57, exceeding expectations by $0.06, with revenue of $258.65 million, reflecting a solid financial performance with a 4.2% year-over-year growth.
- Robust Loan Growth: Despite softer consumer demand, loan originations grew by 6% year-over-year, and business activity in Puerto Rico remains strong due to reconstruction efforts, onshoring, and expanded U.S. military operations, indicating sustained market demand.
- Strong Profitability: The bank reported a return on assets (ROA) of 1.9% and a return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) of 18.7%, with expectations for continued earnings growth driven by loan growth, asset/liability repricing, and share repurchases.
- Price Target Increase: Analysts raised the price target from $26.00 to $27.00, reflecting confidence in the company's future performance, with the average Wall Street analyst rating on the stock standing at Buy.
See More
First BanCorp Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
- Quarterly Cash Dividend: First BanCorp has declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share, payable on June 12, 2026, to shareholders of record as of May 28, 2026, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Record Date for Shareholders: The record date for the dividend is set for May 28, 2026, ensuring that investors holding shares before this date will receive the dividend, which further enhances investor confidence.
- Company Background: First BanCorp serves as the parent company of FirstBank Puerto Rico, with operations spanning Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida, showcasing its extensive influence in the regional financial market.
- Forward-Looking Statements: The company included forward-looking statements in the press release, highlighting that its ability to pay dividends in the future may be affected by various risks and uncertainties, reminding investors to be aware of potential market fluctuations.
See More
First BanCorp Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- Strong Profitability: First BanCorp reported a net income of $89 million for Q1 2026, translating to $0.57 per share, which reflects the company's resilience and improved profitability in the current economic climate, likely boosting investor confidence.
- Loan and Deposit Dynamics: While total loans slightly declined to $13.1 billion, core deposits increased by 4.9% quarter-over-quarter, indicating the company's success in attracting customer deposits, which may lay the groundwork for future loan growth.
- Stable Credit Performance: Nonperforming assets reached record low levels, with early-stage delinquency trends declining by 24% from the previous quarter, showcasing the company's effective risk management and potentially enhancing market trust in its credit quality.
- Capital Return Strategy: The company achieved a net payout of 92% this quarter through $50 million in share repurchases and dividends, demonstrating strong cash flow and commitment to shareholders, which is expected to further attract investor interest.
See More
First BanCorp Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Performance: First BanCorp reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.57, beating expectations by $0.06, indicating a sustained enhancement in profitability that is likely to positively impact stock prices.
- Stable Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenue of $258.65 million in Q1, reflecting a 4.2% year-over-year increase, which aligns with market expectations and demonstrates its ability to maintain stable revenue growth in a competitive environment.
- Credit Loss Provision Changes: The provision for credit losses on loans and finance leases was $17.2 million for Q1, down from $22.4 million in Q4 2025, indicating effective management of credit risk that may bolster investor confidence.
- Stable Coverage Ratio: As of March 31, 2026, the allowance for credit losses coverage ratio stood at 1.87%, slightly lower than 1.90% on December 31, 2025, reflecting the company's robustness in risk management and potentially laying the groundwork for future loan growth.
See More
First BanCorp Reports Earnings Growth in Q1
- Earnings Growth: First BanCorp reported Q1 earnings of $88.77 million, translating to $0.57 per share, which is a significant increase from last year's $77.05 million and $0.47 per share, indicating improved profitability.
- Adjusted Earnings: Excluding items, the adjusted earnings for First BanCorp stood at $88.72 million, with an EPS of $0.57, reflecting a stable performance in its core operations.
- Revenue Increase: The company's revenue rose by 1.0% year-over-year to $279.84 million, compared to $277.06 million last year, showcasing ongoing growth potential in its business.
- Positive Market Reaction: The dual growth in earnings and revenue may bolster investor confidence in First BanCorp, potentially leading to a positive impact on the company's stock performance.
See More
First BanCorp Reports Q1 Net Income of $88.8 Million
- Profitability Improvement: First BanCorp reported a net income of $88.8 million for Q1 2026, translating to $0.57 per diluted share, reflecting a 1.0% increase from $87.1 million in Q4 2025 and a 15.2% rise from $77.1 million in Q1 2025, showcasing the company's consistent performance in revenue generation and expense management.
- Diversified Revenue Sources: The pre-tax, pre-provision income reached a record high of $131 million in the first quarter, up 2% from the previous quarter and 5% year-over-year, indicating the company's success in diversifying revenue streams and strengthening its position in a competitive market.
- Improved Loan Quality: Non-performing assets decreased by $5.3 million to $108.8 million, primarily due to a reduction in non-accrual loans in commercial and construction sectors, reflecting effective credit management and risk control strategies that enhance investor confidence.
- Capital Return Strategy: The company achieved a net payout ratio of 92% during the quarter through share buybacks and dividends, demonstrating its commitment to shareholder returns while maintaining capital ratios above regulatory requirements, ensuring a solid foundation for sustainable long-term growth.
See More
First BanCorp Upgraded to Strong Buy Following Q1 Results
- Earnings Beat: First BanCorp reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.57, exceeding expectations by $0.06, with revenue of $258.65 million, reflecting a solid financial performance with a 4.2% year-over-year growth.
- Robust Loan Growth: Despite softer consumer demand, loan originations grew by 6% year-over-year, and business activity in Puerto Rico remains strong due to reconstruction efforts, onshoring, and expanded U.S. military operations, indicating sustained market demand.
- Strong Profitability: The bank reported a return on assets (ROA) of 1.9% and a return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) of 18.7%, with expectations for continued earnings growth driven by loan growth, asset/liability repricing, and share repurchases.
- Price Target Increase: Analysts raised the price target from $26.00 to $27.00, reflecting confidence in the company's future performance, with the average Wall Street analyst rating on the stock standing at Buy.
See More
First BanCorp Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
- Quarterly Cash Dividend: First BanCorp has declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share, payable on June 12, 2026, to shareholders of record as of May 28, 2026, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Record Date for Shareholders: The record date for the dividend is set for May 28, 2026, ensuring that investors holding shares before this date will receive the dividend, which further enhances investor confidence.
- Company Background: First BanCorp serves as the parent company of FirstBank Puerto Rico, with operations spanning Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida, showcasing its extensive influence in the regional financial market.
- Forward-Looking Statements: The company included forward-looking statements in the press release, highlighting that its ability to pay dividends in the future may be affected by various risks and uncertainties, reminding investors to be aware of potential market fluctuations.
See More
First BanCorp Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- Strong Profitability: First BanCorp reported a net income of $89 million for Q1 2026, translating to $0.57 per share, which reflects the company's resilience and improved profitability in the current economic climate, likely boosting investor confidence.
- Loan and Deposit Dynamics: While total loans slightly declined to $13.1 billion, core deposits increased by 4.9% quarter-over-quarter, indicating the company's success in attracting customer deposits, which may lay the groundwork for future loan growth.
- Stable Credit Performance: Nonperforming assets reached record low levels, with early-stage delinquency trends declining by 24% from the previous quarter, showcasing the company's effective risk management and potentially enhancing market trust in its credit quality.
- Capital Return Strategy: The company achieved a net payout of 92% this quarter through $50 million in share repurchases and dividends, demonstrating strong cash flow and commitment to shareholders, which is expected to further attract investor interest.
See More
First BanCorp Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Performance: First BanCorp reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.57, beating expectations by $0.06, indicating a sustained enhancement in profitability that is likely to positively impact stock prices.
- Stable Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenue of $258.65 million in Q1, reflecting a 4.2% year-over-year increase, which aligns with market expectations and demonstrates its ability to maintain stable revenue growth in a competitive environment.
- Credit Loss Provision Changes: The provision for credit losses on loans and finance leases was $17.2 million for Q1, down from $22.4 million in Q4 2025, indicating effective management of credit risk that may bolster investor confidence.
- Stable Coverage Ratio: As of March 31, 2026, the allowance for credit losses coverage ratio stood at 1.87%, slightly lower than 1.90% on December 31, 2025, reflecting the company's robustness in risk management and potentially laying the groundwork for future loan growth.
See More
First BanCorp Reports Earnings Growth in Q1
- Earnings Growth: First BanCorp reported Q1 earnings of $88.77 million, translating to $0.57 per share, which is a significant increase from last year's $77.05 million and $0.47 per share, indicating improved profitability.
- Adjusted Earnings: Excluding items, the adjusted earnings for First BanCorp stood at $88.72 million, with an EPS of $0.57, reflecting a stable performance in its core operations.
- Revenue Increase: The company's revenue rose by 1.0% year-over-year to $279.84 million, compared to $277.06 million last year, showcasing ongoing growth potential in its business.
- Positive Market Reaction: The dual growth in earnings and revenue may bolster investor confidence in First BanCorp, potentially leading to a positive impact on the company's stock performance.
See More
First BanCorp Reports Q1 Net Income of $88.8 Million
- Profitability Improvement: First BanCorp reported a net income of $88.8 million for Q1 2026, translating to $0.57 per diluted share, reflecting a 1.0% increase from $87.1 million in Q4 2025 and a 15.2% rise from $77.1 million in Q1 2025, showcasing the company's consistent performance in revenue generation and expense management.
- Diversified Revenue Sources: The pre-tax, pre-provision income reached a record high of $131 million in the first quarter, up 2% from the previous quarter and 5% year-over-year, indicating the company's success in diversifying revenue streams and strengthening its position in a competitive market.
- Improved Loan Quality: Non-performing assets decreased by $5.3 million to $108.8 million, primarily due to a reduction in non-accrual loans in commercial and construction sectors, reflecting effective credit management and risk control strategies that enhance investor confidence.
- Capital Return Strategy: The company achieved a net payout ratio of 92% during the quarter through share buybacks and dividends, demonstrating its commitment to shareholder returns while maintaining capital ratios above regulatory requirements, ensuring a solid foundation for sustainable long-term growth.
See More
