First Financial (NASDAQ:THFF) Reaches New 52-Week High – Here’s Why

Shares of First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $51.32 and last traded at $51.32, with a volume of 5954 shares. The stock had previously closed at $49.83.

First Financial Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $591.33 million, a PE ratio of 13.43 and a beta of 0.47. 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 stock’s 50-day moving average is $45.02 and its two-hundred day moving average is $41.83.

First Financial (NASDAQ:THFF) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 22nd. The bank reported $0.74 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.91 by ($0.17). First Financial had a net margin of 14.86% and a return on equity of 8.10%. The firm had revenue of $82.92 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $57.95 million. On average, equities analysts predict that First Financial Co. will post 3.92 earnings per share for the current year.

First Financial Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 1st were issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.59%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 1st. First Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 48.78%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Financial

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in First Financial by 7.3% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 19,857 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $762,000 after acquiring an additional 1,359 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank boosted its position in shares of First Financial by 6,849.2% in the 1st quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 4,517 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $173,000 after purchasing an additional 4,452 shares during the period. Boston Partners purchased a new position in First Financial during the 1st quarter worth approximately $665,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new position in First Financial during the first quarter worth approximately $175,000. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its holdings in shares of First Financial by 102.3% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,098 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $188,000 after acquiring an additional 2,578 shares during the period. 72.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.