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First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) Competitors

First Financial Bancorp. logo
$31.22 -0.11 (-0.35%)
Closing price 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$31.22 +0.01 (+0.02%)
As of 04:15 PM Eastern
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FFBC vs. BUSE, CATY, FRME, NWBI, and STBA

Should you buy First Financial Bancorp. stock or one of its competitors? First Financial Bancorp.'s main competitors and comparable companies include First Busey (BUSE), Cathay General Bancorp (CATY), First Merchants (FRME), Northwest Bancshares (NWBI), and S&T Bancorp (STBA). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "regional banks" industry.

How does First Financial Bancorp. compare to First Busey?

First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) and First Busey (NASDAQ:BUSE) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, dividends, media sentiment, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations.

77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 56.5% of First Busey shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.8% of First Busey shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

First Financial Bancorp. currently has a consensus target price of $33.67, suggesting a potential upside of 7.84%. First Busey has a consensus target price of $32.00, suggesting a potential upside of 7.96%. Given First Busey's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe First Busey is more favorable than First Financial Bancorp..

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
First Busey
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57

First Busey has a net margin of 21.00% compared to First Financial Bancorp.'s net margin of 20.77%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.13% beat First Busey's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Financial Bancorp.20.77% 11.13% 1.49%
First Busey 21.00%10.48%1.40%

First Financial Bancorp. has higher revenue and earnings than First Busey. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Busey, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.60$255.60M$2.8311.03
First Busey$1.04B2.34$135.26M$2.4212.25

First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. First Busey pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Busey pays out 43.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Financial Bancorp. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and First Busey has raised its dividend for 10 consecutive years. First Busey is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 3 more articles in the media than First Busey. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 1 mentions for First Busey. First Busey's average media sentiment score of 0.50 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of -0.01 indicating that First Busey is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
First Financial Bancorp.
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
First Busey
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.91, indicating that its share price is 9% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Busey has a beta of 0.71, indicating that its share price is 29% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats First Busey on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does First Financial Bancorp. compare to Cathay General Bancorp?

Cathay General Bancorp (NASDAQ:CATY) and First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, media sentiment, valuation, profitability, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends and institutional ownership.

Cathay General Bancorp currently has a consensus price target of $62.25, indicating a potential upside of 2.94%. First Financial Bancorp. has a consensus price target of $33.67, indicating a potential upside of 7.84%. Given First Financial Bancorp.'s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe First Financial Bancorp. is more favorable than Cathay General Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Cathay General Bancorp
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

75.0% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.5% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Cathay General Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Cathay General Bancorp pays out 29.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Financial Bancorp. has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. First Financial Bancorp. is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Cathay General Bancorp has a net margin of 24.66% compared to First Financial Bancorp.'s net margin of 20.77%. Cathay General Bancorp's return on equity of 11.71% beat First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Cathay General Bancorp24.66% 11.71% 1.43%
First Financial Bancorp. 20.77%11.13%1.49%

Cathay General Bancorp has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its share price is 15% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.91, meaning that its share price is 9% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 2 more articles in the media than Cathay General Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 2 mentions for Cathay General Bancorp. Cathay General Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 0.67 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of -0.01 indicating that Cathay General Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Cathay General Bancorp
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
First Financial Bancorp.
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Cathay General Bancorp has higher earnings, but lower revenue than First Financial Bancorp.. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cathay General Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Cathay General Bancorp$870.57M4.63$315.12M$5.1211.81
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.60$255.60M$2.8311.03

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats Cathay General Bancorp on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does First Financial Bancorp. compare to First Merchants?

First Merchants (NASDAQ:FRME) and First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, dividends and institutional ownership.

73.9% of First Merchants shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.8% of First Merchants shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

First Financial Bancorp. has higher revenue and earnings than First Merchants. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Merchants, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Merchants$1.05B2.39$226M$3.1212.83
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.60$255.60M$2.8311.03

First Financial Bancorp. has a net margin of 20.77% compared to First Merchants' net margin of 17.05%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.13% beat First Merchants' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Merchants17.05% 8.86% 1.12%
First Financial Bancorp. 20.77%11.13%1.49%

First Merchants has a beta of 0.84, meaning that its share price is 16% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.91, meaning that its share price is 9% less volatile than the broader market.

First Merchants currently has a consensus target price of $49.00, indicating a potential upside of 22.41%. First Financial Bancorp. has a consensus target price of $33.67, indicating a potential upside of 7.84%. Given First Merchants' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe First Merchants is more favorable than First Financial Bancorp..

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Merchants
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 1 more articles in the media than First Merchants. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 3 mentions for First Merchants. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of -0.01 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
First Merchants
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
First Financial Bancorp.
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. First Merchants pays out 47.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Merchants has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years and First Financial Bancorp. has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. First Merchants is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats First Merchants on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does First Financial Bancorp. compare to Northwest Bancshares?

Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ:NWBI) and First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, earnings, media sentiment, institutional ownership and risk.

Northwest Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.3%. First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Northwest Bancshares pays out 77.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Financial Bancorp. has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 4 more articles in the media than Northwest Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 0 mentions for Northwest Bancshares. Northwest Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of -0.01 indicating that Northwest Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Northwest Bancshares Neutral
First Financial Bancorp. Neutral

First Financial Bancorp. has higher revenue and earnings than Northwest Bancshares. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Northwest Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Northwest Bancshares$878.94M2.51$126.01M$1.0314.60
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.60$255.60M$2.8311.03

Northwest Bancshares presently has a consensus price target of $15.80, indicating a potential upside of 5.05%. First Financial Bancorp. has a consensus price target of $33.67, indicating a potential upside of 7.84%. Given First Financial Bancorp.'s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe First Financial Bancorp. is more favorable than Northwest Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Northwest Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

66.3% of Northwest Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by institutional investors. 1.1% of Northwest Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

First Financial Bancorp. has a net margin of 20.77% compared to Northwest Bancshares' net margin of 16.26%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.13% beat Northwest Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Northwest Bancshares16.26% 10.25% 1.15%
First Financial Bancorp. 20.77%11.13%1.49%

Northwest Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, meaning that its share price is 32% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.91, meaning that its share price is 9% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats Northwest Bancshares on 15 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does First Financial Bancorp. compare to S&T Bancorp?

S&T Bancorp (NASDAQ:STBA) and First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, risk, profitability, institutional ownership and media sentiment.

First Financial Bancorp. has higher revenue and earnings than S&T Bancorp. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than S&T Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
S&T Bancorp$568.51M3.05$134.23M$3.7613.06
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.60$255.60M$2.8311.03

S&T Bancorp has a net margin of 24.51% compared to First Financial Bancorp.'s net margin of 20.77%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.13% beat S&T Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
S&T Bancorp24.51% 9.74% 1.42%
First Financial Bancorp. 20.77%11.13%1.49%

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 2 more articles in the media than S&T Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 2 mentions for S&T Bancorp. S&T Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 0.81 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of -0.01 indicating that S&T Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
S&T Bancorp
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
First Financial Bancorp.
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

S&T Bancorp has a beta of 0.84, suggesting that its share price is 16% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.91, suggesting that its share price is 9% less volatile than the broader market.

S&T Bancorp currently has a consensus target price of $51.60, indicating a potential upside of 5.09%. First Financial Bancorp. has a consensus target price of $33.67, indicating a potential upside of 7.84%. Given First Financial Bancorp.'s higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe First Financial Bancorp. is more favorable than S&T Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
S&T Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

65.2% of S&T Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by institutional investors. 1.2% of S&T Bancorp shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

S&T Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. S&T Bancorp pays out 39.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. S&T Bancorp has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years and First Financial Bancorp. has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. First Financial Bancorp. is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats S&T Bancorp on 11 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding FFBC and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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FFBC vs. The Competition

MetricFirst Financial Bancorp.Banks IndustryFinance SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$3.28B$23.17B$13.56B$13.10B
Dividend Yield3.28%3.08%5.94%13.00%
P/E Ratio11.0326.8925.2325.69
Price / Sales2.609.39510.5385.88
Price / Cash10.0815.5246.7852.02
Price / Book1.111.352.716.32
Net Income$255.60M$2.58B$1.31B$359.73M
7 Day Performance-2.98%-1.02%0.06%1.35%
1 Month Performance-5.48%-0.97%-0.79%-3.68%
1 Year Performance20.91%21.12%8.58%5.56%

First Financial Bancorp. Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
FFBC
First Financial Bancorp.
2.9729 of 5 stars
$31.22
-0.4%
$33.67
+7.8%
+20.4%$3.28B$1.26B11.032,199
BUSE
First Busey
3.6932 of 5 stars
$30.37
-0.5%
$32.00
+5.4%
+21.0%$2.51B$789.53M12.551,948
CATY
Cathay General Bancorp
2.8482 of 5 stars
$62.37
-0.1%
$62.25
-0.2%
+24.0%$4.16B$1.38B12.181,268
FRME
First Merchants
4.2877 of 5 stars
$41.71
+0.5%
$49.00
+17.5%
+2.0%$2.62B$691.54M13.372,086
NWBI
Northwest Bancshares
2.0739 of 5 stars
$15.58
+0.2%
$15.80
+1.4%
+22.9%$2.28B$878.94M15.122,233

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This page (NASDAQ:FFBC) was last updated on 9/23/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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