Fintel reports that on September 25, 2026, Truist Securities upgraded their outlook for First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQGS:FFBC) (DB:FI5) from Hold to Buy.
This rating action follows a prior action on July 10, 2026, when Truist Securities maintained its rating of Hold. First Financial Bancorp, based in the United States, operates predominantly in the banking industry, providing a broad spectrum of financial services. Primarily, it focuses on commercial banking, including lending, deposit gathering, and wealth management. Established with a deep-rooted history that traces back to its founding in 1863, First Financial Bancorp has grown to serve a diverse clientele spread across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky through its vast network of branches.
On September 24, 2026, the pre-action close for the stock was $31.55, which also represents the latest close. This price reflects a price change one week percent of -1.76% from a baseline close of $32.12 on September 17, 2026. Over a longer timeframe, the stock experienced a price change one month percent of -4.22% from a baseline close of $32.94 on August 24, 2026.
The company reported its latest earnings on July 21, 2026. During this period, First Financial Bancorp recorded a latest earnings eps actual of 0.73, compared to a latest earnings eps estimate of 0.7871, representing a latest earnings eps surprise percent of -7.25%. The latest earnings revenue actual was $242,475,000.00, which was below the latest earnings revenue estimate of $275,366,003.00. The company’s upcoming earnings date is scheduled for October 22, 2026.
Separately from Truist Securities’ individual rating, the current consensus target mean for the stock was $37.89 as of September 15, 2026, with a current consensus target median of $37.74. This mean target represents a current consensus target implied change percent of +20.08% from the market price. The prior consensus target mean was also $37.89 as of August 28, 2026, showing a consensus target revision percent of 0.00%.
As of the current recommendation period of September 1, 2026, the aggregate recommendation breakdown consisted of 3 strong buy, 5 buy, 5 hold, 0 sell, and 0 strong sell recommendations, totaling 13 recommendations. This represents a current recommendation positive percent of 61.5%, a current recommendation hold percent of 38.5%, and a current recommendation negative percent of 0.0%. These figures are identical to the prior recommendation period of August 1, 2026, which also had 3 strong buy, 5 buy, 5 hold, 0 sell, and 0 strong sell recommendations, totaling 13 recommendations.
Recent analyst actions
Recent analyst upgrades, downgrades, initiations, and maintained ratings Date Analyst Prior Latest recommendation Action September 25, 2026 Truist Securities Hold Buy upgrade
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