FCNCA Falls 1.52% as $350M Volume Ranks 273rd in Market Activity Amid Institutional and Insider Buying Spree

On August 19, 2025, First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) traded down 1.52% with a daily volume of $350 million, ranking 273rd in market activity. Institutional ownership dynamics and insider transactions have emerged as key factors influencing the stock’s recent performance.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. significantly increased its stake in FCNCA by 46.1% during Q1 2025, holding 6,162 shares valued at $11.4 million. Other institutional investors, including MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB and Toth Financial Advisory Corp, also boosted holdings, with the latter raising its position by 263.6%. Institutional ownership now accounts for 78.01% of the stock, reflecting strong confidence in the bank’s strategic direction.

Insider activity further underscored positive sentiment. Major shareholder Olivia Britton Holding purchased 409 shares at $1,630 each, increasing her holdings by 30.18% to 1,764 shares. CEO Frank B. Holding, Jr. added 600 shares at $1,698.75 per share, raising his stake to 32,300 shares. These purchases, totaling $2.49 million by insiders in the last quarter, highlight alignment with long-term value creation.

Analyst ratings remain mixed. Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating, while Barclays cut its price target to $2,400 and Wall Street Zen downgraded to “sell.” JPMorgan and Citigroup raised their targets to $2,250 and $2,050, respectively. The stock currently holds an average “Hold” rating with a consensus price target of $2,291.17, reflecting cautious optimism amid sector volatility.

A backtested strategy of holding the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume for one day generated a total profit of $2,940 from December 2022 to August 2025. The strategy experienced a maximum drawdown of $1,960, representing a 19.6% peak-to-trough decline, indicating moderate volatility but a net positive outcome over the period.