Nuveen Asset Management LLC Sells 14,107 Shares of First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF)

Nuveen Asset Management LLC cut its position in First Financial Co. (NASDAQ:THFF - Free Report) by 7.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 184,814 shares of the bank's stock after selling 14,107 shares during the quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC owned approximately 1.56% of First Financial worth $8,537,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP acquired a new position in shares of First Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $261,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of First Financial by 231.4% during the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 86,972 shares of the bank's stock worth $4,017,000 after buying an additional 60,732 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of First Financial by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 6,509 shares of the bank's stock worth $301,000 after buying an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its position in shares of First Financial by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 17,566 shares of the bank's stock valued at $811,000 after acquiring an additional 721 shares during the period. Finally, Dean Capital Management grew its stake in shares of First Financial by 5.1% in the fourth quarter. Dean Capital Management now owns 42,058 shares of the bank's stock worth $1,943,000 after acquiring an additional 2,027 shares during the last quarter. 72.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

First Financial Price Performance

NASDAQ THFF traded down $0.24 on Friday, reaching $51.78. The company's stock had a trading volume of 55,727 shares, compared to its average volume of 55,140. First Financial Co. has a 52 week low of $34.61 and a 52 week high of $53.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The firm has a market cap of $613.64 million, a PE ratio of 12.95 and a beta of 0.41. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $48.54 and a 200 day moving average price of $48.75.

First Financial (NASDAQ:THFF - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The bank reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.26. First Financial had a return on equity of 8.77% and a net margin of 15.37%. The business had revenue of $62.49 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $62.04 million. Sell-side analysts expect that First Financial Co. will post 5.41 EPS for the current year.

First Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st were given a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.94%. First Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.16%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated a "market perform" rating and issued a $55.00 price target (up from $52.00) on shares of First Financial in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Wall Street Zen raised First Financial from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott raised First Financial from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $58.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, February 24th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other First Financial news, Director James O. Mcdonald purchased 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $48.99 per share, with a total value of $48,990.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 9,462 shares of the company's stock, valued at $463,543.38. This represents a 11.82% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Over the last ninety days, insiders have bought 1,708 shares of company stock valued at $83,350. 3.69% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About First Financial

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.