THFF vs FFBC

For growth investors, First Financial Corporation (THFF) is the stronger pick with 6.

2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 7% for First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC). First Financial Corporation (THFF) offers the better valuation at 10. 2x trailing P/E (9. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate First Financial Corporation (THFF) a "Hold" — based on 4 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, First Financial Corporation (THFF) is the cheapest at 10.

2x versus First Financial Bancorp. at 11. 5x. On forward P/E, First Financial Corporation is actually cheaper at 9. 4x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: First Financial Corporation wins at 0. 84x versus First Financial Bancorp. 's 0. 89x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, First Financial Corporation (THFF) delivered a total return of +69.

4%, compared to +41. 4% for First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: THFF returned +134. 1% versus FFBC's +105. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), First Financial Corporation (THFF) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

92β versus First Financial Bancorp. 's 0. 97β — meaning FFBC is approximately 6% more volatile than THFF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 43% versus 74% for First Financial Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), First Financial Corporation (THFF) is pulling ahead at 6.

2% versus 2. 7% for First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: First Financial Corporation grew EPS 67. 0% year-over-year, compared to 10. 8% for First Financial Bancorp.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

First Financial Corporation (THFF) is the more profitable company, earning 24.

3% net margin versus 20. 3% for First Financial Bancorp. — meaning it keeps 24. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: THFF leads at 30. 4% versus 25. 5% for FFBC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — THFF leads at 77. 7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, First Financial Corporation (THFF) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 84x versus First Financial Bancorp. 's 0. 89x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, First Financial Corporation (THFF) trades at 9. 4x forward P/E versus 9. 6x for First Financial Bancorp. — 0. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FFBC: 5. 4% to $32. 25.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) offers the highest yield at 3. 2%, versus 3. 0% for First Financial Corporation (THFF).

For long-horizon retirement investors, First Financial Corporation (THFF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

92), 3. 0% yield, +134. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (THFF: +134. 1%, FFBC: +105. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.