FIRST BANCORP/NC

First Bancorp Q3 earnings: modest growth, higher expenses, and a costly Carolina Bank merger. Investors face a trade‑off between stability and future upside.

First Bancorp shares dipped 0.86% to $61.04, hovering above its 200‑day SMA and near a 3‑month low; compare the modest move to peers like Freshpet and Talos Energy.