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THFF vs TSBK
Which Stock Would AI Choose? First Financial Corporation (THFF) vs. Timberland Bancorp (TSBK) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- THFF is a larger, acquisitive Indiana-based bank holding company, while TSBK is a smaller, conservatively run community bank concentrated in Washington state.
- Both names have delivered double-digit share-price gains over the past year, though THFF has shown stronger momentum in recent market activity.
- THFF reports a notably higher net interest margin and has used mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to expand across the Midwest.
- TSBK emphasizes disciplined lending, a liquid balance sheet, and steady, incremental dividend growth.
- Credit quality remains sound at both banks, though TSBK has seen a modest rise in non-performing assets in recent quarters.
- Valuation and growth-driver profiles differ meaningfully, making this a study in contrasting community-banking strategies rather than like-for-like peers.
Introduction
Regional and community banks often trade together, but their underlying businesses can differ sharply. This stock comparison examines THFF (First Financial Corporation) and TSBK (Timberland Bancorp, Inc.), two Nasdaq-listed bank holding companies serving distinct geographies. Income-oriented investors may weigh dividend profiles, while growth-focused traders may assess relative performance and expansion catalysts. Because both operate in the same interest-rate-sensitive sector, comparing their market positioning, balance-sheet strategies, and recent price behavior helps clarify where each sits in the current environment. This analysis focuses on observable financial trends and avoids forward-looking predictions.
THFF Overview and Recent Performance
First Financial Corporation is the holding company for First Financial Bank, N.A., headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana. It offers commercial, mortgage, and consumer lending, leasing, trust, depository, and insurance services across Indiana and Illinois. In recent weeks, THFF has drawn attention for its expanding net interest margin (NIM), the spread a bank earns between interest income and interest costs. Management has reported NIM levels well above many regional peers, supporting record net interest income and earnings that have topped consensus estimates in successive quarters.
Acquisitions have been a defining theme. The company has announced or completed several transactions in recent months, including agreements to acquire CedarStone Financial, First Illinois Corporation, and Freestar Bank, reflecting an active M&A strategy to broaden its Midwest footprint. Share-price momentum has been strong, with the stock trading near the upper end of its 52-week range and posting significant gains over the past year. Analysts have responded with a mix of hold ratings and elevated price targets, while the stock carries a dividend yield around 3%, appealing to income-focused investors.
TSBK Overview and Recent Performance
Timberland Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Timberland Bank, a community-oriented institution established in 1915 and operating roughly 23 branches across western Washington state. Its lending is concentrated in real estate-secured loans, including residential, multi-family, commercial real estate, and construction, alongside commercial business and Small Business Administration (SBA) lending. The bank favors a conservative, relationship-based model rather than rapid expansion.
Recent market activity has highlighted TSBK's steady earnings growth and improving profitability metrics. The company has reported higher net income and expanded NIM, supported by disciplined expense management and loan growth, and recently raised its quarterly dividend. Total assets have surpassed $2 billion, and liquidity remains strong. However, non-performing assets have risen modestly from historically low levels, primarily tied to a commercial real estate relationship, and a shift toward higher-cost deposits has created some funding-cost pressure. The stock has gained over 30% in the past year, trading at a valuation below the broader industry average.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The clearest contrast is scale and strategy. THFF is the larger company by market capitalization and asset base and has been expanding through acquisitions, which adds both growth potential and integration risk. TSBK is smaller and prioritizes organic, disciplined growth within a concentrated geography, a model that offers stability but limits diversification.
On profitability, THFF currently reports a materially higher NIM, while TSBK shows steady but more modest margin expansion. In terms of momentum, THFF has outperformed on a trailing one-year and year-to-date basis, though both have advanced meaningfully. Risk profiles also differ: THFF carries M&A execution risk across multiple deals, whereas TSBK faces geographic concentration risk and a slight uptick in non-performing assets. For income investors, THFF offers a higher current yield, while TSBK has demonstrated consistent, incremental dividend increases. Neither stock is an obvious peer substitute; each reflects a different regional-banking thesis.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, relative performance, and catalyst strength, Tickeron's AI would likely lean toward THFF in the current environment. The stock's stronger recent momentum, superior net interest margin, active expansion pipeline, and higher dividend yield collectively suggest a more favorable trend and catalyst profile. That said, the preference is probabilistic rather than absolute: TSBK offers a cleaner, more conservative balance-sheet story that may appeal under different market conditions. Traders should weigh the trade-off between THFF's growth-oriented positioning and TSBK's stability as the basis for their own evaluation.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is THFF is a StrongBuy and TSBK is a StrongBuy.
THFF's MACD Histogram just turned positive
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for THFF turned positive on October 13, 2026. Looking at past instances where THFF's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 32 of 47 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 68%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where THFF's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 12 of 20 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 60%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 20, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on THFF as a result. In 52 of 88 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 59%.
Following a +1.56% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where THFF advanced for three days, in 171 of 299 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 57%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator entered the overbought zone. Expect a price pull-back in the foreseeable future.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where THFF declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 55%.
THFF broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for THFF entered a downward trend on October 12, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 10 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 55, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 25 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 38 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 44 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. THFF’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 51 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.341) is normal, around the industry mean (1.268). P/E Ratio (10.669) is within average values for comparable stocks, (13.372). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.560) is also within normal values, averaging (1.190). Dividend Yield (0.029) settles around the average of (0.035) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.306) is also within normal values, averaging (3.738).
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 95 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
TSBK's MACD Histogram just turned positive
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for TSBK turned positive on October 15, 2026. Looking at past instances where TSBK's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 31 of 44 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 70%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 12, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on TSBK as a result. In 51 of 82 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
TSBK moved above its 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +1.20% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where TSBK advanced for three days, in 182 of 315 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 58%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 4 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
The 10-day moving average for TSBK crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on September 30, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 5 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 33%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where TSBK declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 54%.
TSBK broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for TSBK entered a downward trend on October 09, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 18 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 19 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 55, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 42 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. TSBK’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 46 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly weaker than average sales and a marginally profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 72 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.336) is normal, around the industry mean (1.268). P/E Ratio (11.706) is within average values for comparable stocks, (13.372). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.560) is also within normal values, averaging (1.190). Dividend Yield (0.026) settles around the average of (0.035) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (4.405) is also within normal values, averaging (3.738).
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 85 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
THFF | TSBK | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 11 | 85 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 51 Fair valued | 72 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 10 | 19 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 25 | 46 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 44 | 42 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 38 | 18 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 90 | 85 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
THFF's Valuation (51) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as TSBK (72) in the Savings Banks industry. This means that THFF’s stock grew similarly to TSBK’s over the last 12 months.
THFF's Profit vs Risk Rating (10) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as TSBK (19) in the Savings Banks industry. This means that THFF’s stock grew similarly to TSBK’s over the last 12 months.
THFF's SMR Rating (25) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as TSBK (46) in the Savings Banks industry. This means that THFF’s stock grew similarly to TSBK’s over the last 12 months.
TSBK's Price Growth Rating (42) in the Savings Banks industry is in the same range as THFF (44) in the Regional Banks industry. This means that TSBK’s stock grew similarly to THFF’s over the last 12 months.
TSBK's P/E Growth Rating (18) in the Savings Banks industry is in the same range as THFF (38) in the Regional Banks industry. This means that TSBK’s stock grew similarly to THFF’s over the last 12 months.
| THFF | TSBK | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 46% | 1 day ago 47% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 62% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 68% | 1 day ago 70% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 63% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | 1 day ago 62% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 57% | 7 days ago 58% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 55% | 9 days ago 54% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 45% | 1 day ago 55% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 44% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
THFF’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green while TSBK’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- THFF’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- TSBK’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
THFF’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while TSBK’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- THFF’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- TSBK’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
THFF (@Regional Banks) experienced а +3.32% price change this week, while TSBK (@Regional Banks) price change was +1.31% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Regional Banks industry was +2.71%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.05%, and the average quarterly price growth was +9.08%.
Reported Earning Dates
THFF is expected to report earnings on Oct 27, 2026.
TSBK is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Regional Banks (+2.71% weekly)Regional banks have a smaller reach than major banks, and cater mostly to one region of a country, such as a state or within a group of states. They offer services often similar – albeit with some limitations/smaller scale – compared to major banks. Taking deposits, making loans, mortgages, leases, credit cards , fund management, insurance and investment banking. SunTrust Banks, State Street Corp., M&T Bank Corp. are some examples of U.S. regional banks.
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TSBK and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, TSBK has been closely correlated with FBIZ. These tickers have moved in lockstep 76% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if TSBK jumps, then FBIZ could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To TSBK | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSBK | 100% | +2.96% | ||
| FBIZ - TSBK | 76% Closely correlated | +2.26% | ||
| THFF - TSBK | 74% Closely correlated | +2.13% | ||
| CTBI - TSBK | 73% Closely correlated | +4.04% | ||
| IBCP - TSBK | 73% Closely correlated | +2.70% | ||
| FMBH - TSBK | 73% Closely correlated | +2.76% | ||
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