Kennedy Capital Management LLC Makes New $3.86 Million Investment in First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF)

Kennedy Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 83,449 shares of the bank's stock, valued at approximately $3,855,000. Kennedy Capital Management LLC owned 0.71% of First Financial as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new position in First Financial in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in shares of First Financial during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in First Financial during the fourth quarter worth approximately $73,000. FMR LLC lifted its position in First Financial by 420.3% in 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. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC bought a new position in First Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $205,000. Institutional investors own 72.74% of the company's stock.

First Financial Trading Up 0.9 %

NASDAQ THFF traded up $0.41 on Friday, hitting $44.31. 65,790 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 53,133. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. First Financial Co. has a twelve month low of $34.61 and a twelve month high of $53.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $525.21 million, a P/E ratio of 11.08 and a beta of 0.41. The company's 50 day moving average price is $48.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $47.38.

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, beating 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%. Analysts predict that First Financial Co. will post 5.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

First Financial Announces Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on THFF shares. Raymond James upgraded First Financial from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $54.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated a "market perform" rating and issued a $55.00 target price (up from $52.00) on shares of First Financial in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott upgraded shares of First Financial from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $58.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, February 24th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Mark Allen Franklin purchased 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $52.53 per share, for a total transaction of $57,783.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 9,845 shares in the company, valued at approximately $517,157.85. The trade was a 12.58 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director James O. Mcdonald bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $48.99 per share, for a total transaction of $48,990.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 9,462 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $463,543.38. This represents a 11.82 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders acquired 2,195 shares of company stock valued at $111,625. Corporate insiders own 5.01% of the company's stock.

First Financial 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.