What Makes First Financial Corp. (THFF) a New Strong Buy Stock

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].