First Tumbles to 450th in Daily Trading Volume as Regulatory Scrutiny and Cybersecurity Concerns Weigh on Shares
On August 15, 2025, First (FCNCA) reported a trading volume of $0.22 billion, ranking 450th among active stocks on the day. The stock closed down 2.80%, reflecting a notable decline amid mixed market sentiment.
A regulatory review of the bank's loan underwriting practices intensified during the week, with analysts noting potential operational risks. The company's recent capital-raising efforts through a secondary offering of preferred shares also drew scrutiny, with investors questioning the dilutive impact on equity value. Separately, a cybersecurity incident affecting customer data access was disclosed, though management emphasized no material financial exposure.
Market participants highlighted the interplay between regulatory pressures and liquidity dynamics. The decline in trading volume compared to recent sessions suggested reduced short-term positioning, while the price drop outperformed its peer group by 1.2 percentage points. Analysts cautioned that resolution of the regulatory review could take several quarters, creating near-term volatility.
The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding them for one day from 2022 to now delivered moderate returns. The total profit grew steadily over the period, with a few fluctuations due to market dynamics. As of the latest data, the strategy's total profit stands at $10,720, with a cumulative return of 1.08 times the initial investment.

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