We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
3 Reasons to Invest in First Financial (FFBC) Stock Right Now
Read MoreHide Full Article
It seems to be a wise idea to add First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC - Free Report) stock to your portfolio now. Supported by strong fundamentals, the company is well-poised for growth.
Analysts seem optimistic regarding FFBC’s earnings growth potential. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Financial’s current-year earnings has been revised 5.2% upward over the past 30 days. Thus, currently, FFBC carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Additionally, First Financial’s shares have rallied 10% over the past six months compared with 14.9% growth of the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
A few other factors that make FFBC stock an attractive investment option now are mentioned below.
Revenue Growth: First Financial’s revenues witnessed a compound annual growth rate of 8.7% over the last five years (2018-2023). In the first quarter of 2024, the company’s revenues saw a year-over-year decline because of a significant rise in deposit expenses. While revenues are projected to decline 4.1% in 2024, the metric will likely rise 2.9% in 2025.
Earnings Strength: FFBC witnessed earnings growth of 8.3% in the last three to five years. While earnings are projected to decline 12.6% in 2024, the trend will reverse after that. In 2025, the company’s earnings are projected to grow marginally.
Favorable Valuation: With respect to its price/earnings (P/E) and price/book (P/B) ratios, the stock seems undervalued right now. Its P/E (F1) ratio is 9.32, lower than the industry average of 10.05. Similarly, its P/B ratio of 0.94 compares favorably with the industry’s 0.99.
Moreover, FFBC currently has a Value Score of B. The Value Score condenses all valuation metrics into one actionable score that helps investors steer clear of “value traps” and identify stocks that are truly trading at a discount. Our research shows that stocks with a Style Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2, offer the best upside potential.
Other Stocks to Consider
A couple of other top-ranked stocks from the finance space are T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (TROW - Free Report) and Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. (APAM - Free Report) .
Earnings estimates for TROW have been revised 13.5% upward for the current year over the past 60 days. The company’s share price has increased 19.2% over the past six months. TROW currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Artisan Partners presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Its earnings estimates have been revised upward by 3% for the current year over the past 60 days. In the last six months, APAM’s share price increased 20.6%.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
3 Reasons to Invest in First Financial (FFBC) Stock Right Now
It seems to be a wise idea to add First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC - Free Report) stock to your portfolio now. Supported by strong fundamentals, the company is well-poised for growth.
Analysts seem optimistic regarding FFBC’s earnings growth potential. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Financial’s current-year earnings has been revised 5.2% upward over the past 30 days. Thus, currently, FFBC carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Additionally, First Financial’s shares have rallied 10% over the past six months compared with 14.9% growth of the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
A few other factors that make FFBC stock an attractive investment option now are mentioned below.
Revenue Growth: First Financial’s revenues witnessed a compound annual growth rate of 8.7% over the last five years (2018-2023). In the first quarter of 2024, the company’s revenues saw a year-over-year decline because of a significant rise in deposit expenses. While revenues are projected to decline 4.1% in 2024, the metric will likely rise 2.9% in 2025.
Earnings Strength: FFBC witnessed earnings growth of 8.3% in the last three to five years. While earnings are projected to decline 12.6% in 2024, the trend will reverse after that. In 2025, the company’s earnings are projected to grow marginally.
Favorable Valuation: With respect to its price/earnings (P/E) and price/book (P/B) ratios, the stock seems undervalued right now. Its P/E (F1) ratio is 9.32, lower than the industry average of 10.05. Similarly, its P/B ratio of 0.94 compares favorably with the industry’s 0.99.
Moreover, FFBC currently has a Value Score of B. The Value Score condenses all valuation metrics into one actionable score that helps investors steer clear of “value traps” and identify stocks that are truly trading at a discount. Our research shows that stocks with a Style Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2, offer the best upside potential.
Other Stocks to Consider
A couple of other top-ranked stocks from the finance space are T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (TROW - Free Report) and Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. (APAM - Free Report) .
Earnings estimates for TROW have been revised 13.5% upward for the current year over the past 60 days. The company’s share price has increased 19.2% over the past six months. TROW currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Artisan Partners presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Its earnings estimates have been revised upward by 3% for the current year over the past 60 days. In the last six months, APAM’s share price increased 20.6%.