Is FRBA's Q1 2025 earnings forecast achievable?

First Bank's (FRBA) Q1 2025 earnings forecast is achievable, considering the following points:

1. Earnings Estimate: The estimated EPS for Q1 2025 is $0.39, which is aligned with the previous quarter's earnings report where the bank reported $0.42 per share, surpassing the consensus estimate. This indicates a consistent performance that suggests the forecast is achievable.

2. Revenue Estimate: The estimated revenue for Q1 2025 is $33.71 million. While there is no data on actual revenue for the previous quarter, the bank's revenue for Q4 2024 was $33.77 million, slightly exceeding the estimate. This slight overshooting suggests that the revenue forecast might be conservative.
3. Analyst Sentiments: Despite missing earnings estimates in the past, analysts have upgraded First Bank, indicating a positive outlook. For instance, Piper Sandler reiterated an "overweight" rating, and StockNews.com upgraded First Bank from a "hold" to a "buy" rating. These ratings suggest that analysts believe the bank's performance will improve, which supports the achievability of the earnings forecast.
4. Institutional Activity: Institutional investors have shown interest in First Bank, with Barclays PLC increasing its holdings by 64.7% in the third quarter. This increased investment could be a vote of confidence in the bank's future performance, including the achievability of its earnings forecast.

In conclusion, considering the bank's recent performance, analyst sentiments, and institutional activity, First Bank's Q1 2025 earnings forecast of $0.39 per share and $33.71 million in revenue appears achievable.