THFF vs FNLC

For growth investors, The First Bancorp, Inc.

(FNLC) is the stronger pick with 7. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 2% for First Financial Corporation (THFF). The First Bancorp, Inc. (FNLC) offers the better valuation at 9. 5x trailing P/E (7. 8x 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, The First Bancorp, Inc.

(FNLC) is the cheapest at 9. 5x versus First Financial Corporation at 10. 1x. On forward P/E, The First Bancorp, Inc. is actually cheaper at 7. 8x. 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 The First Bancorp, Inc. 's 1. 80x — 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 +66.

8%, compared to +19. 9% for The First Bancorp, Inc. (FNLC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: THFF returned +133. 6% versus FNLC's +111. 8%. 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), The First Bancorp, Inc.

(FNLC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 73β versus First Financial Corporation's 0. 93β — meaning THFF is approximately 28% more volatile than FNLC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, The First Bancorp, Inc. (FNLC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 66% versus 74% for First Financial Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), The First Bancorp, Inc.

(FNLC) is pulling ahead at 7. 4% versus 6. 2% for First Financial Corporation (THFF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: First Financial Corporation grew EPS 67. 0% year-over-year, compared to 26. 3% for The First Bancorp, Inc.. 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 19. 4% for The First Bancorp, Inc. — 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 23. 6% for FNLC. 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 The First Bancorp, Inc. 's 1. 80x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, The First Bancorp, Inc. (FNLC) trades at 7. 8x forward P/E versus 9. 4x for First Financial Corporation — 1. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

The First Bancorp, Inc. (FNLC) offers the highest yield at 5. 0%, versus 3. 0% for First Financial Corporation (THFF).

For long-horizon retirement investors, The First Bancorp, Inc.

(FNLC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 73), 5. 0% yield, +111. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FNLC: +111. 8%, THFF: +133. 6%), 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.