Investors might want to bet on First Financial Corp. (THFF) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.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.Th ...

A strong stock as of late has been First Financial Corp. (THFF) . Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 12.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $69.21 in the previous session. First Financial Corp. has gained 12% since the start of the year compared to the 1.8% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 11.1% return for the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry.What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks ...

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Core Insights - First Financial Corporation (THFF) released its final quarterly report for 2025, showcasing impressive results over the past year [1] Financial Performance - The bank holding company demonstrated significant improvements in various aspects of its financial performance [1]

Loan Performance - Average total loans for Q4 2025 were $3.97 billion, an increase of $183 million or 4.84% from Q4 2024[5] - Total loans outstanding as of December 31, 2025, were $4.06 billion, up $218 million or 5.69% year-over-year[6] Income and Profitability - Net income for Q4 2025 was $21.5 million, compared to $16.2 million for Q4 2024, representing a 32.1% increase[8] - Diluted net income per common share for 2025 was $6.68, up from $4.00 in 2024, an increase of 67%[8] - Net interest income for Q4 2025 reached a record $60.6 million, an increase of $11 million or 22.2% from Q4 2024[14] - Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025, was $219,868,000, up from $174,986,000 in 2024, reflecting a significant increase in interest income from loans[32] - Basic and diluted earnings per share increased to $6.68 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $4.00 in 2024, demonstrating strong profitability growth[32] Deposits and Equity - Average total deposits for Q4 2025 were $4.64 billion, a decrease of $116 million or 2.44% from Q4 2024[9] - Shareholders' equity at December 31, 2025, was $650.9 million, up from $549.0 million a year earlier[11] - Book value per share increased to $54.78 as of December 31, 2025, an increase of $8.42 or 18.17% from the previous year[12] Efficiency and Cost Management - The efficiency ratio improved to 58.17% for Q4 2025, down from 62.98% in Q4 2024[22] - The efficiency ratio improved to 58.17% in Q4 2025 from 56.63% in Q3 2025, indicating better cost management[28] Credit Quality - The provision for credit losses for Q4 2025 was $2.4 million, compared to $2.0 million for Q4 2024[17] - Provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2025, was $8,200,000, down from $16,166,000 in 2024, reflecting a more favorable credit environment[32] - Nonperforming loans and other real estate owned totaled $14,848,000 in Q4 2025, a decrease from $19,400,000 in Q3 2025, showing improvement in asset quality[29] - The net charge-offs to average loans and leases ratio was 0.18% in Q4 2025, up from 0.17% in Q3 2025, suggesting a slight increase in credit losses[28] Capital Position - Tier 1 leverage ratio improved to 11.25% in Q4 2025 from 11.05% in Q3 2025, indicating a stronger capital position[28] Total Assets and Non-Interest Income - Total assets reached $5,756,126,000 as of December 31, 2025, compared to $5,560,348,000 in 2024, indicating growth in the company's asset base[31] - Total non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025, was $41,972,000, slightly down from $42,772,000 in 2024, indicating stable revenue from non-interest sources[32]

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) today announced results for the fourth quarter of 2025. Net income was $21.5 million compared to $16.2 million reported for the same period of 2024;Diluted net income per common share of $1.81 compared to $1.37 for the same period of 2024;Return on average assets was 1.52% compared to 1.18% for the three months ended December 31, 2024;Provision for credit losses was $2.4 million compared to provision of $2.0 milli ...

Core Insights - U.S. markets are experiencing an upswing, leading investors to seek opportunities in bank stocks, which have shown positive performance after a dip in April due to tariff plans [1] - The optimism in the banking sector is attributed to trade clarity and interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, although inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainties remain concerns [1] Bank Stocks with Dividend Increases - Investors are advised to focus on fundamentally solid banks that provide robust dividend yields, which can offer stability and income during volatile times [2] - Four bank stocks highlighted for their recent dividend hikes are ServisFirst Bancshares, Fulton Financial Corporation, First Financial Corporation, and Norwood Financial Corp, all of which have seen their stock prices rally over 3% in the past month [3][9] ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (SFBS) - Headquartered in Birmingham, AL, SFBS has $17.6 billion in assets as of September 30, 2025 [7] - Announced a quarterly cash dividend of 38 cents per share, a 13.4% increase from the previous payout, with a dividend yield of 1.84% and a payout ratio of 28% [8] - Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales indicates a 16.2% year-over-year rise, with earnings expected to grow by 21.8% [12] Fulton Financial Corporation (FULT) - Based in Lancaster, PA, FULT has $32 billion in assets and operates 200 financial centers [13] - Announced a quarterly cash dividend of 19 cents per share, a 5.6% increase, with a dividend yield of 3.57% and a payout ratio of 34% [14] - Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales suggests an 8.5% increase, while earnings are expected to grow by 11.9% [17] First Financial Corporation (THFF) - Operates in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia with $5.7 billion in assets [18] - Announced a quarterly cash dividend of 56 cents per share, a 9.8% increase, with a dividend yield of 3.19% and a payout ratio of 33% [19] - Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales indicates an 18.5% rise, with earnings expected to surge by 64.8% [22] Norwood Financial Corp. (NWFL) - Offers a variety of financial services with $2.4 billion in assets as of September 30, 2025 [23] - Announced a quarterly cash dividend of 32 cents per share, a 3.1% increase, with a dividend yield of 4.18% and a payout ratio of 47% [24] - Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales indicates a 23.1% rise, while earnings are expected to jump by 60.1% [27] Conclusion on Dividend Stocks - Investing in dividend stocks is seen as a prudent strategy for generating steady income and providing a buffer against market risks, although careful selection is necessary to ensure consistent returns [26]

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Corp. (THFF) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are closely correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Institutional investors often rely on earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade indicates a positive outlook for First Financial Corp.'s earnings, suggesting potential buying pressure and an increase in stock price [3][5]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Financial Corp. has increased by 4% over the past three months, with expected earnings of $6.59 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, showing no year-over-year change [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a "Strong Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions and potential for market-beating returns [10].

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Corporation has announced its acquisition of CedarStone Financial, Inc. for $19.12 per share, totaling an aggregate value of $25 million, which will enhance First Financial's presence in the Nashville market [1][4][5]. Group 1: Transaction Details - First Financial will acquire CedarStone at a price of $19.12 per share, amounting to $25 million for the entire transaction [1]. - The merger will result in CedarStone Bank merging into First Financial Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of First Financial [1]. - The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending regulatory and stockholder approvals [5]. Group 2: Company Profiles - CedarStone, based in Lebanon, Tennessee, has approximately $358 million in assets and operates three branches in Tennessee, serving Lebanon, Mount Juliet, and Nashville [2]. - First Financial, headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana, has assets of approximately $5.7 billion and operates 79 banking centers across five states. Post-merger, the combined assets are expected to reach approximately $6.1 billion [3]. Group 3: Leadership Comments - Norman D. Lowery, President and CEO of First Financial, expressed excitement about the acquisition, highlighting the opportunity to expand in the Nashville market and maintain CedarStone's commitment to customer relationships [4]. - Bob McDonald, President and CEO of CedarStone, noted the benefits for stakeholders and customers, emphasizing stability and growth opportunities from the merger with First Financial [5].

Financial Performance - Net income for Q3 2025 was $20.8 million, up from $8.7 million in Q3 2024, with basic earnings per share increasing to $1.75 from $0.74[120] - For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, net income reached $57.8 million, compared to $31.0 million for the same period in 2024, with basic earnings per share rising to $4.87 from $2.63[120] - Non-interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $32.0 million, up from $30.6 million in the same period in 2024[125] Return Ratios - Return on average assets and return on average equity for Q3 2025 were 1.48% and 13.82%, respectively, compared to 0.64% and 6.39% in Q3 2024[120] - Return on average assets for Q3 2025 was 1.48%, compared to 0.64% in Q3 2024, while return on average equity improved to 13.82% from 6.39%[120] Interest Income - Net interest income for Q3 2025 increased by $7.4 million to $54.6 million, with a net interest margin of 4.25%, up from 3.78% in Q3 2024[123] - Net interest income increased by $7.4 million to $54.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, with a net interest margin of 4.25%, a 12.42% increase year-over-year[123] - The net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was 4.17%, an increase from 3.63% in the same period of 2024[123] Credit Quality - Non-performing loans rose to $19.3 million at September 30, 2025, a 36.3% increase from $14.1 million in September 2024[129] - The provision for credit losses for Q3 2025 was $2.0 million, down from $9.4 million in Q3 2024, with net charge-offs decreasing to $1.6 million from $4.6 million[127] - The non-performing asset ratio is 0.39% of total assets, with net charge-offs at 0.17% to average loans and leases, indicating strong credit performance[122] Expenses - Non-interest expenses for Q3 2025 were $38.0 million, a slight decrease from $38.6 million in Q3 2024, while total non-interest expenses for the nine months increased to $113.1 million[126] - Non-interest expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, were $38.0 million, a decrease from $38.6 million in the same period in 2024[126] Liquidity and Capital - Liquidity remains strong, with cash and available-for-sale securities representing approximately 22.5% of total assets as of September 30, 2025[121] - The Corporation has $203.1 million of unused borrowing capacity available with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, ensuring adequate liquidity[137] - The Corporation's total capital ratios as of September 30, 2025, were 14.15% for total risk-based capital and 13.12% for common equity tier 1 capital, both exceeding regulatory requirements[144] - The Corporation's total risk-based capital ratio was 14.15% as of September 30, 2025, up from 13.46% at December 31, 2024[144] Allowance for Credit Losses - The allowance for credit losses was $47.4 million as of September 30, 2025, compared to $46.7 million at December 31, 2024[117] - The allowance for credit losses was $47.4 million as of September 30, 2025, compared to $46.7 million at December 31, 2024[117] Loans and Deposits - Loans net of deferred loan costs increased by $130 million to $4.0 billion compared to December 31, 2024[138] - Deposits decreased by 2.2% to $4.6 billion as of September 30, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024[138]