First Financial (NASDAQ:THFF) Sets New 52-Week High Following Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Shares of First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $52.00 and last traded at $52.00, with a volume of 76804 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $50.00.

The bank reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.08. First Financial had a net margin of 14.86% and a return on equity of 8.10%.

First Financial Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, 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.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Financial

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in THFF. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in First Financial in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of First Financial during the 4th quarter worth approximately $73,000. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in First Financial by 420.3% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,918 shares of the bank's stock valued at $172,000 after buying an additional 3,165 shares during the period. Ieq Capital LLC bought a new position in First Financial in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $205,000. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC acquired a new stake in First Financial during the 3rd quarter worth $230,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.74% of the company's stock.

First Financial Stock Up 4.0 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79. The company has a market cap of $614.02 million, a P/E ratio of 14.09 and a beta of 0.51. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $47.44 and its 200 day simple moving average is $45.33.

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.

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