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First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC)
NASDAQ:FFBC

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) AI Stock Analysis

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First Financial Bancorp

(NASDAQ:FFBC)

69Neutral
First Financial Bancorp's overall stock score reflects a balance between strong financial performance and challenges in cash flow stability and technical indicators. The earnings call provided a positive outlook with record growth and solid asset quality, but technical analysis suggests caution. Fair valuation and an attractive dividend yield support the score.

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

First Financial Bancorp Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionFirst Financial Bancorp (FFBC) is a financial holding company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. It operates primarily through its subsidiary, First Financial Bank, which provides a range of banking services to individuals and businesses. The bank offers products such as personal and business checking and savings accounts, mortgage loans, credit cards, and wealth management services. With a focus on community banking, First Financial Bancorp serves customers in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky through its network of banking centers.
How the Company Makes MoneyFirst Financial Bancorp generates revenue primarily through interest income from its lending activities and fees from its banking services. The company earns interest income by providing loans to individuals and businesses, including commercial loans, residential mortgages, and consumer loans. Additionally, it earns non-interest income through service charges on deposit accounts, fees from wealth management and investment services, and transaction-based fees on payment processing. The bank also engages in investment activities with its securities portfolio, contributing to its earnings. Significant partnerships with local businesses and community involvement enhance its customer base and drive further business opportunities.

First Financial Bancorp Financial Statement Overview

Summary
First Financial Bancorp demonstrates solid revenue growth and a stable balance sheet. However, the decrease in net income and cash flow volatility present areas for improvement. Maintaining profitability while managing leverage and enhancing cash flow stability will be crucial for sustaining financial health in the competitive banking industry.
Income Statement
80
Positive
First Financial Bancorp showcases strong revenue growth with a 5% increase from 2023 to 2024. The net profit margin slightly declined due to lower net income, but overall profitability remains robust. EBIT and EBITDA margins are not available for 2024, limiting comprehensive margin analysis. Despite this, the consistent revenue growth trajectory is a positive indicator.
Balance Sheet
75
Positive
The company's equity ratio improved to 13.1% in 2024, reflecting a stable financial position. However, the debt-to-equity ratio increased slightly, indicating higher leverage, which can pose risks if not managed properly. The return on equity (ROE) decreased, signaling potential efficiency issues in generating profit from equity.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Operating cash flow decreased significantly from 2023 to 2024, impacting cash flow stability. The free cash flow to net income ratio remains positive, but the decrease in free cash flow growth signals potential challenges in cash generation. This volatility in cash flows could affect future financial flexibility.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
835.58M796.67M708.78M623.62M645.63M
Gross Profit
835.58M1.12B708.78M623.62M645.63M
EBIT
0.00409.25M335.21M240.93M184.41M
EBITDA
0.00356.39M280.53M283.01M233.54M
Net Income Common Stockholders
228.83M255.86M217.61M205.16M155.81M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
3.36B191.46M4.01B4.64B3.68B
Total Assets
18.57B17.53B17.00B16.33B15.97B
Total Debt
1.10B1.28B1.63B654.83M776.20M
Net Debt
198.47M275.91M1.04B219.99M524.84M
Total Liabilities
16.13B15.26B14.96B14.07B13.69B
Stockholders Equity
2.44B2.27B2.04B2.26B2.28B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
241.08M462.83M157.59M375.13M93.42M
Operating Cash Flow
262.16M486.97M200.85M390.46M109.89M
Investing Cash Flow
-1.00B-701.26M-883.11M-512.33M-1.20B
Financing Cash Flow
699.08M219.85M669.73M110.85M1.13B

First Financial Bancorp Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price24.27
Price Trends
50DMA
27.03
Negative
100DMA
27.24
Negative
200DMA
25.41
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.69
Positive
RSI
24.08
Positive
STOCH
7.90
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For FFBC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 24.27 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 26.70, below the 50-day MA of 27.03, and below the 200-day MA of 25.41, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.69 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 24.08 is Positive, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 7.90 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for FFBC.

First Financial Bancorp Risk Analysis

First Financial Bancorp disclosed 42 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. First Financial Bancorp reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

First Financial Bancorp Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$2.32B12.128.85%3.36%5.54%-8.57%
ONONB
74
Outperform
$6.42B11.969.06%2.78%16.39%-13.25%
70
Outperform
$1.68B6.1416.25%0.93%23.69%11.97%
69
Neutral
$2.35B10.619.72%3.69%9.95%-11.02%
65
Neutral
$668.84M19.964.78%4.18%10.94%26.35%
64
Neutral
$13.80B10.649.23%4.22%17.66%-7.66%
62
Neutral
$3.18B11.719.69%3.95%21.10%-4.20%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
FFBC
First Financial Bancorp
24.27
3.43
16.46%
FRME
First Merchants
38.92
6.40
19.68%
FULT
Fulton Financial
17.24
2.57
17.52%
HBNC
Horizon Bancorp
15.11
3.43
29.37%
ONB
Old National Bancorp Capital
20.13
4.06
25.26%
MBIN
Merchants Bancorp
36.27
-6.39
-14.98%

First Financial Bancorp Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Jan 23, 2025 | % Change Since: -12.51% | Next Earnings Date: Apr 17, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong financial performance in terms of revenue, loan and deposit growth, and asset quality improvements. However, challenges such as declining net interest margin and increasing classified assets were noted. Overall, the positive aspects of growth and performance seem to outweigh the negatives.
Highlights
Strong Fourth Quarter Performance
Adjusted earnings per share were $0.71, with a return on assets of 1.7% and return on tangible common equity of 19.9%.
Record Revenue and Growth
Record revenue of approximately $154 million, a 2% increase over 2023. Noninterest income increased by more than 13% to a record $241.8 million.
Loan and Deposit Growth
Loan growth exceeded 7% on an annualized basis, and total deposits surged by approximately 16% on an annualized basis.
Asset Quality and Tangible Book Value Improvement
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans declined by 3 basis points to 30 basis points. Tangible book value per share increased 14% from $12.38 to $14.15.
Strong Capital Position
Tangible common equity ratio increased by 56 basis points to 7.73%.
Lowlights
Net Interest Margin Decline
Net interest margin declined to 3.94% from a previous 4.4% due to decreases in short-term rates.
Increase in Classified Assets
Classified assets increased by 7 basis points to 1.21%, driven by a $45 million obligation from a terminated foreign exchange trade.
Expense Increase
Expenses increased by 5% from the linked quarter, driven by higher incentive compensation tied to strong fee income and overall company performance.
Company Guidance
During the First Financial Bancorp fourth quarter 2024 earnings call, management provided forward-looking guidance for the first quarter of 2025. They anticipate loan growth to moderate to low single digits on an annualized basis, while deposit growth is expected to slightly decline due to seasonal reversals. The net interest margin is projected to be within the range of 3.85% to 3.9%, assuming no further rate cuts. Fee income is expected to be between $63 million and $65 million, driven by $11 million to $13 million from foreign exchange and $19 million to $21 million from leasing business revenue. Noninterest expenses are anticipated to stabilize between $128 million and $130 million. Asset quality is expected to improve, with lower credit costs and net charge-offs. The allowance for credit losses (ACL) coverage ratio is expected to remain stable or slightly increase. The company plans to maintain its current dividend level and continue evaluating strategic capital actions.

First Financial Bancorp Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
First Financial Bancorp Highlights Strategic Position and Growth
Positive
Jan 28, 2025

First Financial Bancorp has released an investor presentation highlighting its strategic positioning and consistent profitability over 137 consecutive quarters. The company emphasizes its robust capital position with a 12.16% CET1 ratio and a diverse range of financial products aimed at both retail and commercial clients. The document also outlines the company’s future growth strategies amidst various economic and regulatory challenges, showcasing its commitment to maintaining high-quality asset management and exploring diverse revenue streams. The bank’s focus on sustainable business practices and prudent risk management enhances its ability to navigate economic fluctuations and regulatory changes.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.