The Analyst Verdict: First Financial Bancor In The Eyes Of 4 Experts

4 analysts have expressed a variety of opinions on First Financial Bancor FFBC over the past quarter, offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish.

The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.

Analysts have set 12-month price targets for First Financial Bancor, revealing an average target of $31.5, a high estimate of $33.00, and a low estimate of $30.00. Marking an increase of 3.28%, the current average surpasses the previous average price target of $30.50.

Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look

The perception of First Financial Bancor by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.

Key Insights:

• Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to First Financial Bancor. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.
• Rating: Analyzing trends, analysts offer qualitative evaluations, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of First Financial Bancor compared to the broader market.
• Price Targets: Delving into movements, analysts provide estimates for the future value of First Financial Bancor's stock. This analysis reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.

Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into First Financial Bancor's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.

Stay up to date on First Financial Bancor analyst ratings.

Unveiling the Story Behind First Financial Bancor

First Financial Bancorp is a mid-sized, regional bank holding company. It operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary, First Financial Bank, and provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business Commercial, Retail Banking, Mortgage Banking, Wealth Management, Investment Commercial Real Estate, and Commercial Finance. First Financial utilizes a community banking business model and serves a combination of metropolitan and non-metropolitan markets through full-service banking centers around Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The primary component of its loan portfolio is commercial real estate loans, followed by commercial and industrial loans. A majority of First Financial's net revenue is net interest income.

Financial Milestones: First Financial Bancor's Journey

Market Capitalization Highlights: Above the industry average, the company's market capitalization signifies a significant scale, indicating strong confidence and market prominence.

Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, First Financial Bancor showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 11.42% as of 31 December, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Financials sector.

Net Margin: First Financial Bancor's net margin lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of 28.93%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.

Return on Equity (ROE): First Financial Bancor's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 2.65%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.

Return on Assets (ROA): First Financial Bancor's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 0.35% ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns.

Debt Management: First Financial Bancor's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 0.45. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.

The Core of Analyst Ratings: What Every Investor Should Know

Experts in banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their comprehensive research involves attending company conference calls and meetings, analyzing financial statements, and engaging with insiders to generate what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts assess and rate each stock once per quarter.

Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.

If you want to keep track of which analysts are outperforming others, you can view updated analyst ratings along withanalyst success scores in Benzinga Pro.

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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.