First Financial Corporation Indiana (NASDAQ:THFF) Sets New 52-Week High Following Better-Than-Expected Earnings

First Financial Corporation Indiana (NASDAQ:THFF) shares hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock traded as high as $66.95 and last traded at $66.17, with a volume of 37333 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $65.89.

The bank reported $1.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $70.55 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $67.93 million. First Financial Corporation Indiana had a net margin of 21.70% and a return on equity of 12.70%.

First Financial Corporation Indiana Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd were issued a $0.56 dividend. This represents a $2.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. This is an increase from First Financial Corporation Indiana’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 2nd. First Financial Corporation Indiana’s dividend payout ratio is currently 35.90%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on THFF. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on First Financial Corporation Indiana from $61.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of First Financial Corporation Indiana in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of First Financial Corporation Indiana from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of First Financial Corporation Indiana from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, January 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $60.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Financial Corporation Indiana

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of First Financial Corporation Indiana by 3.8% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 825,465 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $49,875,000 after acquiring an additional 30,481 shares during the last quarter. First Financial Corp IN increased its position in shares of First Financial Corporation Indiana by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. First Financial Corp IN now owns 638,899 shares of the bank’s stock worth $38,602,000 after purchasing an additional 19,784 shares during the last quarter. LSV Asset Management raised its stake in shares of First Financial Corporation Indiana by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 394,733 shares of the bank’s stock worth $21,391,000 after purchasing an additional 10,421 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in shares of First Financial Corporation Indiana by 11.2% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 316,726 shares of the bank’s stock worth $17,876,000 after purchasing an additional 31,992 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of First Financial Corporation Indiana by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 300,464 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $16,284,000 after buying an additional 9,829 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.74% of the company’s stock.

First Financial Corporation Indiana Stock Up 0.6%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $62.18 and its two-hundred day moving average is $58.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $785.51 million, a P/E ratio of 10.63 and a beta of 0.42.

About First Financial Corporation Indiana

First Financial Corporation Indiana is a bank holding company headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana, that offers a full suite of financial services to individuals and businesses. Through its subsidiary, First Financial Bank, the company provides traditional banking products including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and cash management solutions. It also offers consumer and commercial lending services ranging from residential mortgages and home equity lines of credit to working capital loans and equipment financing.

The company’s service offerings extend beyond core banking to include wealth management and trust services, retirement planning, and brokerage solutions.