First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF) Short Interest Up 123.8% in March

First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF - Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 151,300 shares, an increase of 123.8% from the March 15th total of 67,600 shares. Approximately 1.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 73,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.1 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Janney Montgomery Scott raised shares of First Financial from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $58.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, February 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated a "market perform" rating and set a $55.00 price objective (up previously from $52.00) on shares of First Financial in a report on Thursday, February 6th.

First Financial Stock Up 0.9 %

First Financial stock traded up $0.41 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $44.31. The company's stock had a trading volume of 65,790 shares, compared to its average volume of 53,160. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The company has a market cap of $525.21 million, a PE ratio of 11.08 and a beta of 0.41. The firm's 50 day moving average is $48.54 and its 200 day moving average is $47.39. First Financial has a 52-week low of $34.61 and a 52-week high of $53.60.

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

First Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st were issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.60%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 1st. First Financial's payout ratio is presently 51.00%.

Insider Activity at First Financial

In related news, insider Mark Allen Franklin acquired 1,100 shares of First Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $52.53 per share, with a total value of $57,783.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 9,845 shares of the company's stock, valued at $517,157.85. This trade represents a 12.58 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director James O. Mcdonald bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $48.99 per share, for a total transaction of $48,990.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 9,462 shares in the company, valued at $463,543.38. This trade represents a 11.82 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders acquired a total of 2,195 shares of company stock valued at $111,625 in the last quarter. Insiders own 5.01% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. FMR LLC boosted its position in shares of First Financial by 420.3% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,918 shares of the bank's stock valued at $172,000 after acquiring an additional 3,165 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position in First Financial by 18.6% during the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 13,704 shares of the bank's stock worth $601,000 after buying an additional 2,154 shares in the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in First Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $279,000. Barclays PLC grew its position in shares of First Financial by 62.1% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 37,457 shares of the bank's stock worth $1,643,000 after buying an additional 14,349 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of First Financial by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 273,544 shares of the bank's stock valued at $11,997,000 after acquiring an additional 4,743 shares during the last quarter. 72.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About First Financial

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.