First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) Shares Sold by Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC

Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC trimmed its position in shares of First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC - Free Report) by 4.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 221,179 shares of the bank's stock after selling 10,209 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC owned about 0.23% of First Financial Bancorp. worth $5,945,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Point72 DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in First Financial Bancorp. during the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. ORG Partners LLC acquired a new stake in First Financial Bancorp. in the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Allworth Financial LP purchased a new stake in shares of First Financial Bancorp. during the fourth quarter worth about $44,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of First Financial Bancorp. by 221.9% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,717 shares of the bank's stock valued at $73,000 after acquiring an additional 1,873 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of First Financial Bancorp. in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $76,000. 77.23% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at First Financial Bancorp.

In related news, insider James R. Shank sold 7,600 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.92, for a total value of $189,392.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,141 shares in the company, valued at $277,633.72. The trade was a 40.55 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.04% of the company's stock.

First Financial Bancorp. Stock Performance

NASDAQ:FFBC traded down $0.76 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $22.12. The company's stock had a trading volume of 570,346 shares, compared to its average volume of 400,721. First Financial Bancorp. has a fifty-two week low of $20.59 and a fifty-two week high of $31.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The firm has a market cap of $2.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.22 and a beta of 0.85. The firm's 50 day moving average is $26.38 and its 200-day moving average is $26.84.

First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 23rd. The bank reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.65 by $0.06. First Financial Bancorp. had a net margin of 18.67% and a return on equity of 10.52%. Equities analysts anticipate that First Financial Bancorp. will post 2.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

First Financial Bancorp. Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.34%. First Financial Bancorp.'s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating and set a $30.00 target price on shares of First Financial Bancorp. in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of First Financial Bancorp. from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Finally, Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $33.00 target price on shares of First Financial Bancorp. in a research note on Friday, January 24th.

First Financial Bancorp. Profile

First Financial Bancorp. operates as the bank holding company for First Financial Bank that provides commercial banking and related services to individuals and businesses in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. The company offers checking, savings, and money-market accounts; and accepts various deposit products, such as interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing accounts, time deposits, and cash management services for commercial customers.