AlphaQuest LLC Reduces Position in First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF)

AlphaQuest LLC trimmed its stake in First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF) by 42.8% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 4,976 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 3,728 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC’s holdings in First Financial were worth $230,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of THFF. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new stake in First Financial in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of First Financial during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $73,000. FMR LLC increased its holdings in First Financial by 420.3% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,918 shares of the bank’s stock worth $172,000 after acquiring an additional 3,165 shares in the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC bought a new stake in First Financial during the 4th quarter worth approximately $205,000. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC purchased a new position in First Financial during the third quarter valued at approximately $230,000. 72.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at First Financial

In other First Financial news, insider Mark Allen Franklin purchased 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $52.53 per share, with a total value of $57,783.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 9,845 shares in the company, valued at approximately $517,157.85. The trade was a 12.58 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director James O. Mcdonald purchased 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $48.99 per share, with a total value of $48,990.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 9,462 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $463,543.38. This represents a 11.82 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders acquired 2,195 shares of company stock valued at $111,625. 4.06% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

First Financial Stock Performance

THFF opened at $49.84 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $590.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.46 and a beta of 0.49. First Financial Co. has a fifty-two week low of $34.58 and a fifty-two week high of $53.60. 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 fifty day moving average of $49.07 and a 200 day moving average of $46.89.

First Financial (NASDAQ:THFF) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The bank reported $1.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.08. First Financial had a return on equity of 8.77% and a net margin of 15.37%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that First Financial Co. will post 5.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

First Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 3rd were given a dividend of $0.51 per share. This is an increase from First Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.09%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 3rd. First Financial’s dividend payout ratio is currently 51.00%.

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.