First Citizens Shares Climb on Strong Third Quarter Earnings

The bank’s earnings reached $51.23 per share, climbing from $43.08 during the same quarter last year. When adjusted, earnings hit $55.37, significantly higher than the $45.89 consensus estimate from FactSet analysts. Despite the earnings growth, the company’s net interest margin saw a slight contraction, slipping to 3.1% from 3.3% a year ago.

Bolstering the positive sentiment, the company’s board of directors greenlit a major capital return initiative. The institution plans to execute a share buyback program totaling $1.2 billion, which will remain active through 2027. This move, combined with a 10% year-to-date climb in stock value, underscores the bank's current financial trajectory following its recent quarterly results.