First Financial Bankshares (NASDAQ:FFIN) Reaches New 12-Month Low - Here's Why

Key Points

• First Financial Bankshares (FFIN) shares hit a new 52-week low of $28.52 on heavy volume (~901,076 shares) and are trading below their 50- and 200-day moving averages (~$32.10 and $32.30).
• Analysts hold a consensus Hold rating with a $38.00 price target (1 Buy, 3 Holds); the company beat Q4 EPS estimates ($0.51 vs. $0.48) with revenue up 13.1% year-over-year and analysts forecast about $1.78 EPS for the fiscal year.
• The bank declared a quarterly dividend of $0.19 (annualized $0.76, yield ~2.7%), insiders have been buying shares recently (21,629 shares over 90 days), and institutional investors own roughly 69.8% of the stock.

First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIN - Get Free Report)'s stock price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $28.52 and last traded at $28.59, with a volume of 901076 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $29.33.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a "hold (c)" rating on shares of First Financial Bankshares in a report on Friday, January 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $38.00.

First Financial Bankshares Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $4.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.15 and a beta of 0.83. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $32.10 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $32.30.

First Financial Bankshares (NASDAQ:FFIN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 23rd. The bank reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.03. First Financial Bankshares had a net margin of 30.43% and a return on equity of 14.16%. The firm had revenue of $164.72 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $165.70 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.43 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 13.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that First Financial Bankshares, Inc. will post 1.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

First Financial Bankshares Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be issued a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. First Financial Bankshares's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 42.94%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Sally Pope Davis acquired 1,800 shares of First Financial Bankshares stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $29.52 per share, for a total transaction of $53,136.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 10,371 shares of the company's stock, valued at $306,151.92. This trade represents a 21.00% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Johnny Trotter purchased 4,000 shares of First Financial Bankshares stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $30.02 per share, with a total value of $120,080.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 955,444 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $28,682,428.88. This trade represents a 0.42% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders acquired a total of 21,629 shares of company stock valued at $681,060 over the last 90 days. 3.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of FFIN. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey grew its position in First Financial Bankshares by 9.1% in the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 31,025 shares of the bank's stock valued at $1,116,000 after buying an additional 2,598 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in First Financial Bankshares by 5,474.7% during the third quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 16,724 shares of the bank's stock worth $563,000 after purchasing an additional 16,424 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in First Financial Bankshares in the second quarter worth approximately $57,680,000. Creative Planning boosted its stake in First Financial Bankshares by 22.4% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 83,526 shares of the bank's stock valued at $3,005,000 after purchasing an additional 15,266 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 1900 Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in First Financial Bankshares by 296.6% during the 3rd quarter. 1900 Wealth Management LLC now owns 23,487 shares of the bank's stock valued at $790,000 after purchasing an additional 17,565 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.78% of the company's stock.

About First Financial Bankshares

First Financial Bankshares, Inc is a regional bank holding company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Through its primary subsidiary, First Financial Bank, the company offers a full suite of banking products and services to individual, small business and commercial clients. With roots dating back to 1863, First Financial has cultivated a strong community banking heritage, combining personalized service with modern financial solutions.

The company's core business activities include commercial and consumer lending, deposit products, treasury management, mortgage origination and servicing, and wealth management.

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