Is First Financial Stock a Good Investment?

First Financial Investment Advice

  FFBC
To provide specific investment advice or recommendations on First Financial Bancorp stock, we recommend investors consider the following general factors when evaluating First Financial Bancorp. This will help you to make an informed decision on whether to include First Financial in one of your diversified portfolios:
  • Examine First Financial's financial health by looking at its balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. Analyze key financial ratios, such as Price-to-Earnings (P/E), Price-to-Sales (P/S), and Price-to-Book (P/B), to determine whether the stock is fairly valued or over/undervalued.
  • Research First Financial's leadership team and their track record. Good management can help First Financial navigate difficult times and make strategic decisions that benefit shareholders and increases its net worth.
  • Consider the overall health of the Regional Banks space and any emerging trends that could impact First Financial's business and its evolving consumer preferences.
  • Compare First Financial's performance and market position to its competitors. Analyze how First Financial is positioned in terms of product offerings, innovation, and market share.
  • Check if First Financial pays a dividend and its dividend yield and payout ratio.
  • Review what financial analysts are saying about First Financial's stock and their price targets. However, remember that analysts' opinions can vary, and their predictions may not always be accurate.
It's important to note that investing in First Financial Bancorp stock, carries risks, and you should carefully consider your investment goals and risk tolerance before making any investment decisions. Also, remember that it's important for investors to have a long-term perspective and a well-diversified portfolio to manage the impact of stock market volatility on their investments. Below is a detailed guide on how to decide if First Financial Bancorp is a good investment.
 
Sell
 
Buy
Strong Hold
Our advice module can be used to complement First Financial investment recommendation provided by average analyst sentiment. It analyzes the company's potential to grow using fundamental, technical, data market data available at the time. To make sure First Financial is not overpriced, please confirm all First Financial Bancorp fundamentals, including its price to earning, gross profit, cash per share, as well as the relationship between the price to sales and net income . Given that First Financial Bancorp has a number of shares shorted of 1.51 M, we urge you to verify First Financial Bancorp market performance and probability of bankruptcy to ensure the company can sustain itself in the current economic cycle given your prevailing risk tolerance and investing horizon.

Market Performance

OKDetails

Volatility

Very steadyDetails

Hype Condition

Under hypedDetails

Current Valuation

OvervaluedDetails

Odds Of Distress

Very LowDetails

Economic Sensitivity

Hyperactively responds to market trendsDetails

Investor Sentiment

ImpartialDetails

Analyst Consensus

HoldDetails

Financial Strenth (F Score)

HealthyDetails

Financial Leverage

Not RatedDetails

Reporting Quality (M-Score)

Unlikely ManipulatorDetails

Examine First Financial Stock

Researching First Financial's stock involves analyzing various aspects of the company and its industry to make an informed investment decision. The key areas to focus on are fundamentals, business model and competitive advantage. It is also important to analyze trends in revenue, net income, and cash flow, as well as key financial ratios, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and debt-to-equity (D/E). About 80.0% of the company shares are owned by institutional investors. The company has price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 1.18. Some equities with similar Price to Book (P/B) outperform the market in the long run. First Financial Bancorp has Price/Earnings To Growth (PEG) ratio of 1.71. The entity last dividend was issued on the 2nd of December 2024. The firm had 105:100 split on the 7th of March 2001.
To determine if First Financial is a good investment, evaluating the company's potential for future growth is also very important. This may include expanding into new markets, launching new products or services, or improving operational efficiency. Companies with strong growth prospects can be more attractive investments. This aspect of the research should be conducted in the context of the overall market and industry in which the company operates and should include an analysis of growth potential, competitive landscape, and any regulatory or economic factors that could impact the business. Some of the essential points regarding First Financial's research are outlined below:
Over 80.0% of the company shares are owned by institutional investors
Latest headline from gurufocus.com: Disposition of 4068 shares by Dennen Richard S of First Financial at 30.01 subject to Rule 16b-3

First Financial Quarterly Liabilities And Stockholders Equity

18.15 Billion

First Financial uses earnings reports to provide investors with an update of all three financial statements, including the income statement, the balance sheet, and the cash flow statement. Therefore, it is also crucial when considering investing in First Financial Bancorp. Every quarterly earnings report provides investors with an overview of sales, expenses, and net income for the most recent period. It also may provide a comparison to First Financial's previous reporting period. The quarterly earnings reports are usually disseminated to the public via Form 10-Q, which is a legal document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission every quarter.
18th of April 2024
Upcoming Quarterly Report
View
18th of July 2024
Next Financial Report
View
31st of March 2024
Next Fiscal Quarter End
View
23rd of January 2025
Next Fiscal Year End
View
31st of December 2023
Last Quarter Report
View
31st of December 2023
Last Financial Announcement
View
Earnings surprises can significantly impact First Financial's stock price both in the short term and over time. Negative earnings surprises usually result in a price decline. However, it has been seen that positive earnings surprises lead to an immediate rise in a stock's price and a gradual increase over time. This is why we often hear news about some companies beating earning projections. Financial analysts spend a large amount of time predicting earnings per share (EPS) along with other important future indicators. Many analysts use forecasting models, management guidance, and additional fundamental information to derive an EPS estimate. Below are the table of largest EPS Surprises First Financial's investors have experienced.
Reported
Fiscal Date
Estimated EPS
Reported EPS
Surprise
2007-01-26
2006-12-310.030.02-0.0133 
2008-10-29
2008-09-300.170.15-0.0211 
2007-04-20
2007-03-310.20.220.0210 
2013-01-29
2012-12-310.250.280.0312 
2012-01-25
2011-12-310.280.310.0310 
2011-07-28
2011-06-300.30.27-0.0310 
2010-08-03
2010-06-300.270.30.0311 
2009-01-28
2008-12-310.090.06-0.0333 

Know First Financial's Top Institutional Investors

Have you ever been surprised when a price of an equity instrument such as First Financial is soaring high without any particular reason? This is usually happening because many institutional investors are aggressively trading First Financial Bancorp backward and forwards among themselves. First Financial's institutional investor refers to the entity that pools money to purchase First Financial's securities or originate loans. Institutional investors include commercial and private banks, credit unions, insurance companies, pension funds, hedge funds, endowments, and mutual funds. Operating companies that invest excess capital in these types of assets may also be included in the term and may influence corporate governance by exercising voting rights in their investments.
Shares
Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc2024-09-30
1.3 M
Northern Trust Corp2024-09-30
1.2 M
First Financial Bank, N.a. -tr Division2024-09-30
901.9 K
Bank Of America Corp2024-06-30
881 K
Manufacturers Life Insurance Co2024-09-30
779.3 K
Fisher Asset Management, Llc2024-09-30
722.7 K
Bridgeway Capital Management, Llc2024-09-30
656.6 K
First Trust Advisors L.p.2024-06-30
596.3 K
Norges Bank2024-06-30
525.9 K
Blackrock Inc2024-06-30
13.9 M
Vanguard Group Inc2024-09-30
10.8 M
Note, although First Financial's institutional investors appear to be way more sophisticated than retail investors, it remains unclear if professional active investment managers can reliably enhance risk-adjusted returns by an amount that exceeds fees and expenses.

First Financial's market capitalization trends

The company currently falls under 'Mid-Cap' category with a current market capitalization of 2.9 B.

Market Cap

2.14 Billion

First Financial's profitablity analysis

Last ReportedProjected for Next Year
Return On Tangible Assets 0.02  0.01 
Return On Capital Employed 0.05  0.06 
Return On Assets 0.01  0.01 
Return On Equity 0.11  0.13 
The company has Profit Margin (PM) of 0.29 %, which maeans that even a very small decline in it revenue will erase profits resulting in a net loss. This is way below average. Similarly, it shows Operating Margin (OM) of 0.37 %, which suggests for every 100 dollars of sales, it generated a net operating income of $0.37.
Determining First Financial's profitability involves analyzing its financial statements and using various financial metrics to determine if First Financial is a good buy. For example, gross profit margin measures First Financial's profitability after accounting for the cost of goods sold, while net profit margin measures profitability after accounting for all expenses. Other important metrics include return on assets, return on equity, and free cash flow. By reviewing multiple sources and metrics, you can gain a complete picture of First Financial's profitability and make more informed investment decisions.
Please note, the presentation of First Financial's financial position, as portrayed in its financial statements, is often influenced by management's estimates, judgments, and sometimes even manipulations. In the best case, First Financial's management is honest, while the outside auditors are strict and uncompromising. Please utilize our Beneish M Score to check the likelihood of First Financial's management manipulating its earnings.

Evaluate First Financial's management efficiency

First Financial Bancorp has return on total asset (ROA) of 0.0125 % which means that it generated a profit of $0.0125 on every $100 spent on assets. This is way below average. Similarly, it shows a return on stockholder's equity (ROE) of 0.0964 %, meaning that it created $0.0964 on every $100 dollars invested by stockholders. First Financial's management efficiency ratios could be used to measure how well First Financial manages its routine affairs as well as how well it operates its assets and liabilities. At present, First Financial's Return On Equity is projected to increase slightly based on the last few years of reporting. At present, First Financial's Non Current Assets Total are projected to increase significantly based on the last few years of reporting. The current year's Intangible Assets is expected to grow to about 88.1 M, whereas Non Currrent Assets Other are projected to grow to (4.4 B).
Last ReportedProjected for Next Year
Book Value Per Share 24.14  25.35 
Tangible Book Value Per Share 12.54  6.99 
Enterprise Value Over EBITDA 7.03  9.36 
Price Book Value Ratio 0.98  1.91 
Enterprise Value Multiple 7.03  9.36 
Price Fair Value 0.98  1.91 
Enterprise ValueB3.1 B
First Financial's management has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, driving both financial growth and operational excellence. By analyzing current market trends and future growth opportunities, we assess the stock's true value and potential for investors.
Dividend Yield
0.0316
Forward Dividend Yield
0.0316
Forward Dividend Rate
0.96
Beta
0.974

Basic technical analysis of First Stock

As of the 26th of November, First Financial shows the Downside Deviation of 1.75, mean deviation of 1.56, and Coefficient Of Variation of 1087.31. First Financial Bancorp technical analysis allows you to utilize historical prices and volume patterns in order to determine a pattern that computes the direction of the firm's future prices.

First Financial's insider trading activities

Some recent studies suggest that insider trading raises the cost of capital for securities issuers and decreases overall economic growth. Trading by specific First Financial insiders, such as employees or executives, is commonly permitted as long as it does not rely on First Financial's material information that is not in the public domain. Local jurisdictions usually require such trading to be reported in order to monitor insider transactions. In many U.S. states, trading conducted by corporate officers, key employees, directors, or significant shareholders must be reported to the regulator or publicly disclosed, usually within a few business days of the trade. In these cases First Financial insiders are required to file a Form 4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) when buying or selling shares of their own companies.
 
Dennen Richard S over a week ago
Disposition of 932 shares by Dennen Richard S of First Financial at 30.0 subject to Rule 16b-3
 
Dennen Richard S over two weeks ago
Disposition of 5000 shares by Dennen Richard S of First Financial at 29.7577 subject to Rule 16b-3
 
Dennen Richard S over a month ago
Disposition of 12500 shares by Dennen Richard S of First Financial at 27.43 subject to Rule 16b-3
 
Gregory Harris over two months ago
Acquisition by Gregory Harris of 10982 shares of First Financial subject to Rule 16b-3
 
Purkrabek Knust Susan L over two months ago
Acquisition by Purkrabek Knust Susan L of 382 shares of First Financial at 19.6 subject to Rule 16b-3
 
Davis Claude E over two months ago
Disposition of 29000 shares by Davis Claude E of First Financial at 26.6 subject to Rule 16b-3
 
Archie Brown over three months ago
Disposition of 7546 shares by Archie Brown of First Financial at 22.16 subject to Rule 16b-3
 
Arvia Anne L over three months ago
Acquisition by Arvia Anne L of 450 shares of First Financial at 22.22 subject to Rule 16b-3
 
Myers Malcolm A over three months ago
Discretionary transaction by Myers Malcolm A of tradable shares of First Financial subject to Rule 16b-3
 
Rahe Maribeth S over six months ago
Acquisition by Rahe Maribeth S of 693 shares of First Financial at 20.44 subject to Rule 16b-3
 
Archie Brown over six months ago
Disposition of 15000 shares by Archie Brown of First Financial subject to Rule 16b-3
 
William Barron over six months ago
Acquisition by William Barron of 3522 shares of First Financial at 19.88 subject to Rule 16b-3

First Financial's Outstanding Corporate Bonds

First Financial issues bonds to finance its operations. Corporate bonds make up one of the largest components of the U.S. bond market, which is considered the world's largest securities market. First Financial Bancorp uses the proceeds from bond sales for a wide variety of purposes, including financing ongoing mergers and acquisitions, buying new equipment, investing in research and development, buying back their own stock, paying dividends to shareholders, and even refinancing existing debt. Most First bonds can be classified according to their maturity, which is the date when First Financial Bancorp has to pay back the principal to investors. Maturities can be short-term, medium-term, or long-term (more than ten years). Longer-term bonds usually offer higher interest rates but may entail additional risks.

Understand First Financial's technical and predictive indicators

Using predictive indicators to make investment decisions involves analyzing First Financial's various financial and market-based factors to help forecast future trends and identify investment opportunities. Select the indicators that are most relevant to your investment strategy. Each indicator has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it's essential to combine multiple indicators to get a more comprehensive view of the market and reduce the risk of making poor decisions based on limited data.

Consider First Financial's intraday indicators

First Financial intraday indicators are useful technical analysis tools used by many experienced traders. Just like the conventional technical analysis, daily indicators help intraday investors to analyze the price movement with the timing of First Financial stock daily movement. By combining multiple daily indicators into a single trading strategy, you can limit your risk while still earning strong returns on your managed positions.

First Financial Corporate Filings

F4
25th of November 2024
The report filed by a party regarding the acquisition or disposition of a company's common stock, as well as derivative securities such as options, warrants, and convertible securities
ViewVerify
8K
8th of November 2024
Report filed with the SEC to announce major events that shareholders should know about
ViewVerify
13A
1st of November 2024
An amended filing to the original Schedule 13G
ViewVerify
10Q
9th of August 2024
Quarterly performance report mandated by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to be filed by publicly traded corporations
ViewVerify
First Financial time-series forecasting models is one of many First Financial's stock analysis techniques aimed to predict future share value based on previously observed values. Time-series forecasting models ae widely used for non-stationary data. Non-stationary data are called the data whose statistical properties e.g. the mean and standard deviation are not constant over time but instead, these metrics vary over time. These non-stationary First Financial's historical data is usually called time-series. Some empirical experimentation suggests that the statistical forecasting models outperform the models based exclusively on fundamental analysis to predict the direction of the market movement and maximize returns from investment trading.

First Stock media impact

Far too much social signal, news, headlines, and media speculation about First Financial that are available to investors today. That information is available publicly through First media outlets and privately through word of mouth or via First internal channels. However, regardless of the origin, that massive amount of First data is challenging to quantify into actionable patterns, especially for investors that are not very sophisticated with ever-evolving tools and techniques used in the investment management field.
A primary focus of First Financial news analysis is to determine if its current price reflects all relevant headlines and social signals impacting the current market conditions. A news analyst typically looks at the history of First Financial relative headlines and hype rather than examining external drivers such as technical or fundamental data. It is believed that price action tends to repeat itself due to investors' collective, patterned thinking related to First Financial's headlines and news coverage data. This data is often completely overlooked or insufficiently analyzed for actionable insights to drive First Financial alpha.

First Financial Sentiment by Major News Outlets

Investor sentiment, mood or attitude towards First Financial can have a significant impact on its stock price or the market as a whole. This sentiment can be positive or negative, and various factors, such as economic indicators, news events, or market trends, can influence it. When investor sentiment is positive, investors are more likely to buy stocks, increasing demand and increasing the stock price. Positive investor sentiment can be driven by good news about the company or the broader market, such as solid earnings reports or positive economic data.
Note that negative investor sentiment can cause investors to sell stocks, leading to a decrease in demand and a drop in the stock price. Negative sentiment can be driven by factors such as poor earnings reports, negative news about the company or industry, or broader economic concerns. It's important to note that investor sentiment is just one of many factors that can affect stock prices. Other factors, such as company performance, industry trends, and global economic conditions, can also play a significant role in determining the value of a stock.

First Financial Corporate Executives

Elected by the shareholders, the First Financial's board of directors comprises two types of representatives: First Financial inside directors who are chosen from within the company, and outside directors, selected externally and held independent of First. The board's role is to monitor First Financial's management team and ensure that shareholders' interests are well served. First Financial's inside directors are responsible for reviewing and approving budgets prepared by upper management to implement core corporate initiatives and projects. On the other hand, First Financial's outside directors are responsible for providing unbiased perspectives on the board's policies.
James AndersonEx CFOProfile
John GaviganCFO, Sr. VP and CFO of First Financial BankProfile
When determining whether First Financial Bancorp offers a strong return on investment in its stock, a comprehensive analysis is essential. The process typically begins with a thorough review of First Financial's financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, to assess its financial health. Key financial ratios are used to gauge profitability, efficiency, and growth potential of First Financial Bancorp Stock. Outlined below are crucial reports that will aid in making a well-informed decision on First Financial Bancorp Stock:
Check out Investing Opportunities to better understand how to build diversified portfolios, which includes a position in First Financial Bancorp. Also, note that the market value of any company could be closely tied with the direction of predictive economic indicators such as signals in bureau of labor statistics.
For information on how to trade First Stock refer to our How to Trade First Stock guide.
You can also try the Analyst Advice module to analyst recommendations and target price estimates broken down by several categories.
Is Regional Banks space expected to grow? Or is there an opportunity to expand the business' product line in the future? Factors like these will boost the valuation of First Financial. If investors know First will grow in the future, the company's valuation will be higher. The financial industry is built on trying to define current growth potential and future valuation accurately. All the valuation information about First Financial listed above have to be considered, but the key to understanding future value is determining which factors weigh more heavily than others.
Quarterly Earnings Growth
(0.17)
Dividend Share
0.93
Earnings Share
2.32
Revenue Per Share
8.096
Quarterly Revenue Growth
(0.05)
The market value of First Financial Bancorp is measured differently than its book value, which is the value of First that is recorded on the company's balance sheet. Investors also form their own opinion of First Financial's value that differs from its market value or its book value, called intrinsic value, which is First Financial's true underlying value. Investors use various methods to calculate intrinsic value and buy a stock when its market value falls below its intrinsic value. Because First Financial's market value can be influenced by many factors that don't directly affect First Financial's underlying business (such as a pandemic or basic market pessimism), market value can vary widely from intrinsic value.
In summary, please note that there is a difference between First Financial's value and its price, as these two are different measures arrived at by various means. Investors typically determine if First Financial is a good investment by looking at such factors as earnings, sales, fundamental and technical indicators, competition as well as analyst projections. However, First Financial's price is the amount at which it trades on the open market and represents the number that a seller and buyer find agreeable to each party.