First Financial (NASDAQ:THFF) Sees Strong Trading Volume - Here's What Happened

First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF - Get Free Report) shares saw strong trading volume on Monday . 72,457 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 42% from the previous session's volume of 50,911 shares.The stock last traded at $52.53 and had previously closed at $52.02.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have weighed in on THFF. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated a "market perform" rating and set a $55.00 price objective (up previously from $52.00) on shares of First Financial in a research report on Thursday. Raymond James raised 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.

First Financial Stock Up 0.0 %

The company has a market cap of $614.47 million, a P/E ratio of 13.01 and a beta of 0.51. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $47.63 and its two-hundred day moving average price 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 - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The bank reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.08. First Financial had a return on equity of 8.77% and a net margin of 15.37%. Equities research analysts anticipate that First Financial Co. will post 5.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

First Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 3rd were paid a $0.51 dividend. 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 yield of 3.92%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 3rd. First Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently 51.00%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Financial

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new stake in First Financial in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of First Financial in the fourth quarter worth approximately $73,000. FMR LLC increased its holdings in shares of First Financial by 420.3% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,918 shares of the bank's stock worth $172,000 after purchasing an additional 3,165 shares in the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC bought a new stake in First Financial in the 4th quarter worth about $205,000. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC purchased a new position in shares of First Financial during the third quarter valued at approximately $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.

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