First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) vs. ChoiceOne Financial Services (NASDAQ:COFS) Head to Head Review

First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC – Get Free Report) and ChoiceOne Financial Services (NASDAQ:COFS – Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation and risk.

Profitability

This table compares First Financial Bancorp. and ChoiceOne Financial Services’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for First Financial Bancorp. and ChoiceOne Financial Services, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

First Financial Bancorp. currently has a consensus target price of $34.00, indicating a potential upside of 8.25%. ChoiceOne Financial Services has a consensus target price of $36.50, indicating a potential upside of 10.87%. Given ChoiceOne Financial Services’ higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe ChoiceOne Financial Services is more favorable than First Financial Bancorp..

Insider and Institutional Ownership

77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 19.9% of ChoiceOne Financial Services shares are held by institutional investors. 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 6.5% of ChoiceOne Financial Services shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Risk & Volatility

First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.93, indicating that its share price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, ChoiceOne Financial Services has a beta of 0.61, indicating that its share price is 39% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares First Financial Bancorp. and ChoiceOne Financial Services”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

First Financial Bancorp. has higher revenue and earnings than ChoiceOne Financial Services. ChoiceOne Financial Services is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Financial Bancorp., indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. ChoiceOne Financial Services pays an annual dividend of $1.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. ChoiceOne Financial Services pays out 32.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Financial Bancorp. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and ChoiceOne Financial Services has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years. ChoiceOne Financial Services is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats ChoiceOne Financial Services on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About First Financial Bancorp.

(Get Free Report)

First Financial Bancorp. operates as the bank holding company for First Financial Bank that provides commercial banking and related services to individuals and businesses in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. The company offers checking, savings, and money-market accounts; and accepts various deposit products, such as interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing accounts, time deposits, and cash management services for commercial customers. It also provides real estate loans secured by residential property, such as one to four family residential housing units or commercial property comprising owner-occupied and/or investor income producing real estate consisting of apartments, shopping centers, and office buildings; commercial and industrial loans for various purposes, including inventory, receivables, and equipment, as well as equipment and leasehold improvement financing for franchisees; consumer loans comprising new and used vehicle loans, second mortgages on residential real estate, and unsecured loans; and home equity lines of credit. In addition, the company offers commercial financing to the insurance industry, registered investment advisors, certified public accountants, indirect auto finance companies, and restaurant franchisees. Further, it provides a range of trust and wealth management services; lease and equipment financing services; and currency payments, foreign exchange hedging, and other advisory products. First Financial Bancorp. was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.

About ChoiceOne Financial Services

(Get Free Report)

ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for ChoiceOne Bank that provides banking services to corporations, partnerships, and individuals in Michigan. The company offers various deposit products, including time, savings, and demand deposits, safe deposit, and automated transaction machine services. It also provides commercial lending products, such as business, industry, agricultural, construction, inventory, and real estate loans; and consumer loans comprising direct and indirect loans to consumers and purchasers of residential and real properties. In addition, the company offers alternative investment products, which include annuities and mutual funds; and sells insurance policies, such as life and health for commercial and consumer clients. Further, it provides trust and wealth management services. ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Sparta, Michigan.

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