First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted earnings per share was $0.63, with a return on assets of 1.33% and a return on tangible common equity of 17.8% [7] - Net interest margin was strong at 3.88%, a decline of six basis points from the previous quarter [17][24] - Non-interest expenses decreased by 3.3% due to lower incentive compensation and fraud losses [10][31] - Tangible book value per share increased to $14.80, representing a 5% increase from the linked quarter and 18% year-over-year [13][35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan balances were stable, with first-quarter loan production being seasonally lower [8] - Fee income was $61 million, a decline from the linked quarter due to seasonal fluctuations and less foreign exchange income [9][19] - Average deposit balances decreased by $99 million, primarily due to a seasonal decline in public funds [18][28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintained 21% of total balances in non-interest-bearing accounts and focused on growing lower-cost deposit balances [18] - Non-performing assets declined by 9.5%, indicating improvements in asset quality metrics [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on growing tangible book value, which has increased by 35% over the last three years [13] - The company received the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award for Associate Engagement, reflecting its commitment to employee engagement [14] - The company is in discussions regarding potential M&A opportunities, although current uncertainty may prolong these discussions [52] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects modest loan growth in the second quarter, with healthy pipelines in consumer, C&I, and ICRE lines of business [8][37] - The company anticipates net interest margin to expand to a range between 3.95% and 4.05% in the next quarter, assuming a 25 basis point rate cut [39] - Management remains optimistic about the year overall despite economic uncertainties [41] Other Important Information - The company’s capital ratios are strong, with all regulatory ratios well above minimums [12][35] - The company is closely monitoring the impact of tariffs on clients and their operations [12][86] Q&A Session Summary Question: Steps to reduce asset sensitivity on the balance sheet - Management indicated that the balance sheet is asset sensitive and discussed the impact of rate cuts on deposit costs and net interest margin [46][48] Question: Changes in view toward capital deployment amid tariff uncertainty - Management noted increased M&A discussions but acknowledged that current uncertainty may slow down these discussions [51][52] Question: Review process for C&I credits and specific trends - Management highlighted a significant charge-off related to a specific industry and noted healthy workouts of classified loans [60][61] Question: Outlook for loan growth in the back half of the year - Management adjusted loan growth expectations for the year to 4% to 5% due to elevated payoffs [73][78] Question: Credit charge-offs and normalized expectations - Management expects charge-offs to stabilize in the range of 25 to 30 basis points, with improving trends in asset quality [81][82] Question: Exposure to tariffs and portfolio monitoring - Management is actively engaging with clients to understand the impact of tariffs and is monitoring specific sectors for potential risks [86][88]

For the quarter ended March 2025, First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) reported revenue of $201.59 million, up 3.3% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.63, compared to $0.59 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue represents a surprise of -5.53% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $213.4 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.63, the company has not delivered EPS surprise.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they ...

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) reported quarterly earnings of $0.63 per share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate, and showing an increase from $0.59 per share a year ago [1] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $201.59 million for the quarter ended March 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.53%, compared to $195.25 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, First Financial has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times and topped consensus revenue estimates two times [2] Stock Performance - First Financial shares have declined approximately 11.4% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has decreased by 8.6% [3] - The current Zacks Rank for the stock is 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.66 on revenues of $216.9 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.64 on revenues of $873.2 million [7] - The estimate revisions trend for First Financial is mixed, and changes in estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year are anticipated following the recent earnings report [6][7] Industry Context - The Banks - Midwest industry, to which First Financial belongs, is currently in the top 10% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook for stocks in this sector [8]

CINCINNATI, April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) announced today that it expects to release first quarter 2025 financial results after the market close on Thursday, April 24, 2025. A teleconference and webcast to discuss these results will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. Teleconference and Webcast Information  Date:  Friday, April 25, 2025 Time:  8:30 a.m. Eastern time Teleconference Dial-In: (Access Code: 5048068) 1-888-5 ...

Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor's dream. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its ...

Group 1: Stock Recommendations - Kingstone Companies, Inc. (KINS) has a Zacks Rank 1 and a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 8.53, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 20.49, with a Value Score of A and a 16.1% increase in current year earnings estimate over the last 60 days [1] - First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) also carries a Zacks Rank 1, with a P/E of 9.39 compared to the industry average of 10.70, a Value Score of B, and a 5.2% increase in current year earnings estimate over the last 60 days [2] - Futu Holdings Limited (FUTU) holds a Zacks Rank 1, with a P/E of 15.57, lower than the S&P 500's 20.49, a Value Score of B, and a 10.2% increase in current year earnings estimate over the last 60 days [3]

Group 1: Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (ULCC) - Frontier Group Holdings is an airline company with a Zacks Rank 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 63.2% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 7.14, compared to 12.60 for the industry, and possesses a Value Score of A [1] Group 2: First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) - First Financial Bancorp is a bank holding company for First Financial Bank with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 5.6% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 9.65, compared to 10.90 for the industry, and possesses a Value Score of B [2] Group 3: Molson Coors Beverage Company (TAP) - Molson Coors Beverage Company is a beverage company with a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings has increased by 6.4% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 9.75, compared to 14.50 for the industry, and possesses a Value Score of A [3]

Company Overview - First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) is based in Cincinnati and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of 2.34% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.24 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.49%, which is higher than the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 2.96% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.52% [3] Dividend Performance - The annualized dividend of $0.96 represents a 2.1% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, FFBC has increased its dividend once on a year-over-year basis, with an average annual increase of 0.46% [4] - The current payout ratio is 37%, indicating that the company paid out 37% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects earnings of $2.64 per share, reflecting an expected increase of 0.76% from the previous year [5] Investment Appeal - FFBC is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend and strong Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [7]

TABLE OF CONTENTS UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934 Commission File Number 001-34762 FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | Ohio 31-1042001 | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | (State of incorpor ...