Short Interest in First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF) Rises By 21.6%

First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 67,600 shares, a growth of 21.6% from the February 28th total of 55,600 shares. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 68,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.0 days.

First Financial Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of NASDAQ THFF traded down $0.38 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $48.27. 17,421 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 50,929. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. First Financial has a 1 year low of $34.58 and a 1 year high of $53.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $572.09 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.07 and a beta of 0.49. The business has a 50 day moving average of $50.11 and a two-hundred day moving average of $47.44.

First Financial (NASDAQ:THFF) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. 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 15.37% and a return on equity of 8.77%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that First Financial will post 5.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

First Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be paid a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 1st. First Financial’s dividend payout ratio is 51.00%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director James O. Mcdonald purchased 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $48.99 per share, with a total value of $48,990.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 9,462 shares in the company, valued at $463,543.38. This trade represents a 11.82 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Mark Allen Franklin acquired 1,100 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $52.53 per share, for a total transaction of $57,783.00. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 9,845 shares in the company, valued at approximately $517,157.85. This represents a 12.58 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have acquired 2,195 shares of company stock valued at $111,625. Company insiders own 3.69% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of First Financial

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in THFF. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new position in shares of First Financial during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in First Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in First Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $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 valued at $172,000 after purchasing an additional 3,165 shares during the period. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of First Financial in the fourth quarter worth approximately $205,000. 72.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on THFF. Raymond James raised First Financial from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $54.00 target price on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Janney Montgomery Scott upgraded shares of First Financial from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $58.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, February 24th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reissued a “market perform” rating and set a $55.00 target price (up from $52.00) on shares of First Financial in a research note on Thursday, February 6th.

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.