Short Interest in First Citizens BancShares Drops by 28.2%

The bank holding company's stock sees a decline in short positions

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCO) saw a significant 28.2% decline in short interest in January, with the number of shorted shares dropping from 15,490 to 11,125. The company's stock, which trades on the NASDAQ, has a current short-interest ratio of 0.8 days based on an average daily trading volume of 13,440 shares.

Why it matters

Changes in short interest can provide insights into investor sentiment and market expectations around a company's stock. The drop in short positions for First Citizens BancShares suggests increased optimism or reduced bearishness among some investors regarding the bank's performance and outlook.

The details

First Citizens BancShares is the bank holding company for First Citizens Bank, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. The company operates a network of branches across the United States, with a strong presence in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and select Western markets. As a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ, First Citizens BancShares serves both retail and institutional clients through a diversified platform of banking services, including deposit taking, commercial and consumer lending, and mortgage origination.

  • As of January 30th, 2026, there was short interest totaling 11,125 shares.
  • This represents a 28.2% decline from the January 15th total of 15,490 shares.

The players

First Citizens BancShares, Inc.

A bank holding company and the parent of First Citizens Bank, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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The takeaway

The drop in short interest for First Citizens BancShares suggests that some investors have become more bullish on the bank's prospects, potentially signaling increased confidence in the company's performance and growth outlook.