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Susan M. Jensen, a director at First Financial (NYSE:SSB) Corp (NASDAQ:THFF), recently acquired additional company stock. The $622 million market cap regional bank has shown strong momentum, with shares trading near their 52-week high of $53.44 and delivering a remarkable 31% return over the past six months. According to a recent SEC filing, Jensen purchased 62 shares of First Financial Corp stock on February 6, 2025, at a price of $51.9488 per share. This transaction amounted to a total value of approximately $3,220. Following this acquisition, Jensen now holds a total of 1,949 shares in the company. The purchase comes as First Financial maintains its impressive 43-year streak of consecutive dividend payments, currently yielding 3.92%. InvestingPro analysis reveals 8 additional key insights about First Financial’s performance and valuation metrics that could influence investment decisions.
In other recent news, First Financial Corp. has been the subject of analyst attention, with two firms maintaining differing views. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods maintained a Market Perform rating on the company, recognizing its recent quarterly dividend increase to $0.51 per share, a 13% hike from the previous quarter. This dividend is expected to be paid to shareholders in early 2025. The firm views this as a continuation of First Financial’s strategy to enhance shareholder returns, noting the significant rise in the annual payout to $1.80 per share from $1.08.
On the other hand, Raymond (NSE:RYMD) James upgraded First Financial from Market Perform to Outperform, setting a new price target of $54.00. The firm believes the current valuation of First Financial’s shares does not reflect the company’s merits, despite a modest performance in 2024. Raymond James also highlighted First Financial’s liability-sensitive balance sheet, which positions it well in a declining interest rate environment.
Various strategic expansions have improved First Financial’s long-term growth prospects, with the bank completing three acquisitions in the past five years and doubling the number of Loan Production Offices since the pandemic. Furthermore, First Financial’s effective capital management was acknowledged, with the bank proceeding with a 10% authorization announced in 2022 as part of its ongoing capital rightsizing efforts.
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