First Financial (NASDAQ:THFF) Reaches New 1-Year High – Here’s Why

First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $53.44 and last traded at $52.03, with a volume of 134131 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $52.02.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

THFF has been the subject of a number of research reports. Raymond James raised shares of First Financial from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $54.00 target price for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated a “market perform” rating and set a $55.00 price objective (up from $52.00) on shares of First Financial in a research note on Thursday, February 6th.

First Financial Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $614.47 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.01 and a beta of 0.51. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $47.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $45.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79.

First Financial (NASDAQ:THFF) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The bank reported $1.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.08. First Financial had a net margin of 15.37% and a return on equity of 8.77%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that First Financial Co. will post 5.41 EPS for the current year.

First Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 3rd were given a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 3rd. This is a positive change from First Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.92%. First Financial’s dividend payout ratio is 51.00%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Financial

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in THFF. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of First Financial in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in First Financial during the fourth quarter worth about $73,000. FMR LLC raised its stake in First Financial by 420.3% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,918 shares of the bank’s stock worth $172,000 after purchasing an additional 3,165 shares during the period. Ieq Capital LLC acquired a new position in First Financial in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $205,000. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC acquired a new position in shares of First Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $230,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.74% of the company’s stock.

First Financial Company Profile

First Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides various financial services. The company offers non-interest-bearing demand, interest-bearing demand, savings, time, and other time deposits. It also provides commercial loans primarily to expand a business or finance asset purchases; residential real estate and residential real estate construction loans; and home equity loans and lines, secured loans, and cash/CD secured and unsecured loans.