First Financial (NASDAQ:THFF) Stock Crosses Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average of $38.53

First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF)’s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $38.53 and traded as high as $44.99. First Financial shares last traded at $44.70, with a volume of 31,500 shares traded.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on First Financial from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th.

First Financial Stock Down 0.8 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $41.65 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.61. The company has a market cap of $523.54 million, a PE ratio of 9.45 and a beta of 0.47.

First Financial (NASDAQ:THFF) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The bank reported $0.96 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.96. The business had revenue of $70.68 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $51.95 million. First Financial had a net margin of 18.22% and a return on equity of 9.95%. As a group, analysts anticipate that First Financial Co. will post 4.39 EPS for the current year.

First Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 1st were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 1st. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.06%. First Financial’s payout ratio is 38.38%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Financial

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Quest Partners LLC purchased a new stake in First Financial in the fourth quarter worth approximately $64,000. Country Trust Bank bought a new position in shares of First Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at $111,000. Comerica Bank raised its position in First Financial by 6,849.2% in the 1st quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 4,517 shares of the bank’s stock worth $173,000 after purchasing an additional 4,452 shares during the period. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale bought a new stake in First Financial in the first quarter worth $175,000. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its position in First Financial by 102.3% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,098 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $188,000 after buying an additional 2,578 shares during the period. 72.74% of the stock is currently 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.