Susan M. Jensen, a director at First Financial (NYSE:SSB) Corp (NASDAQ:THFF), recently acquired 68 shares of the company's stock. The purchase was made on November 6 at a price of $49.93 per share, totaling approximately $3,395. Following this transaction, Jensen's direct ownership of First Financial Corp stock increased to 1,853 shares.
In other recent news, First Financial Corporation has announced a quarterly dividend of 45 cents per share, payable to shareholders of record as of October 1, 2024. This regular payout is seen as a reflection of the company's financial stability and its commitment to returning value to shareholders. The company has also made significant changes in its executive contracts, renewing the employment agreement of its President and CEO, Norman D. Lowery, for an initial term of 24 months.
A recent acquisition of SimplyBank in a cash transaction valued at approximately $73.4 million has expanded First Financial Corporation's regional footprint into Tennessee. The company has also appointed Stephen P. Panagouleas as the new Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, a strategic move expected to strengthen the bank's credit operations.
In the realm of analyst notes, First Financial Corp. faced a cut in share target by analysts from Keefe, Bruyette & Woods due to an earnings miss, maintaining a Market Perform rating. These are among the recent developments impacting the company.
InvestingPro Insights
Susan M. Jensen's recent acquisition of First Financial Corp (NASDAQ:THFF) shares aligns with several positive indicators highlighted by InvestingPro. The stock has shown significant momentum, with InvestingPro data revealing a robust 24.29% price total return over the past three months and an impressive 46.38% return over the last year. This strong performance is further underscored by the fact that THFF is currently trading near its 52-week high, with its price at 98.28% of the peak.
InvestingPro Tips suggest that First Financial Corp has a high shareholder yield and has maintained dividend payments for 42 consecutive years, demonstrating a commitment to returning value to shareholders. This consistency in dividends, coupled with a current dividend yield of 3.6%, may be particularly appealing to investors like Jensen who are increasing their stake in the company.
The company's financial health appears solid, with a P/E ratio of 13.54, indicating a relatively modest valuation compared to earnings. Additionally, First Financial Corp's profitability over the last twelve months and analysts' predictions of continued profitability this year support the director's decision to increase her holdings.
It's worth noting that InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for THFF, providing a more comprehensive analysis for investors considering this stock. To gain access to these insights and a deeper understanding of First Financial Corp's market position, readers can explore the full range of data available on InvestingPro.
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