Critical Contrast: Investar (NASDAQ:ISTR) and Isabella Bank (OTCMKTS:ISBA)

Isabella Bank (OTCMKTS:ISBA – Get Free Report) and Investar (NASDAQ:ISTR – Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends and analyst recommendations. Institutional & Insider Ownership 50.2% of Investar shares [...]

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Isabella Bank ( OTCMKTS:ISBA – Get Free Report ) and Investar ( NASDAQ:ISTR – Get Free Report ) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends and analyst recommendations. Institutional & Insider Ownership 50.2% of Investar shares are owned by institutional investors.

9.7% of Isabella Bank shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 8.



7% of Investar shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Volatility and Risk Isabella Bank has a beta of -0.

05, suggesting that its share price is 105% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Investar has a beta of 0.78, suggesting that its share price is 22% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Isabella Bank and Investar, as reported by MarketBeat. Isabella Bank presently has a consensus target price of $22.00, suggesting a potential upside of 4.

76%. Investar has a consensus target price of $16.75, suggesting a potential downside of 13.

79%. Given Isabella Bank’s higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Isabella Bank is more favorable than Investar. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Isabella Bank and Investar”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Isabella Bank has higher revenue and earnings than Investar. Isabella Bank is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Investar, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares Isabella Bank and Investar’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Summary Isabella Bank beats Investar on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks. About Isabella Bank ( Get Free Report ) Isabella Bank Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Isabella Bank that provides various banking products and services to businesses, institutions, and individuals and their families. Its deposit products include checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, direct deposits, and money market accounts.

The company's loan portfolio comprises commercial, agricultural, and residential real estate loans, as well as consumer loans, including secured and unsecured personal loans. It also offers cash management, mobile and internet banking, electronic bill pay, automated teller machines, trust and investment, estate planning, and safe deposit box rental services; and insurance products. The company operated banking offices in Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, and Saginaw counties.

Isabella Bank Corporation was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. About Investar ( Get Free Report ) Investar Holding Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Investar Bank that provides a range of commercial banking products to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in south Louisiana, southeast Texas, and Alabama in the United States. The company offers various deposit products and services, such as savings, checking, money market, and individual retirement accounts, as well as various certificates of deposit; debit and credit cards; internet, mobile, and video banking services; and reciprocal deposit products.

It also provides commercial real estate loans; commercial and industrial loans, including working capital lines of credit and equipment loans; loans for the construction of commercial projects, and single family residential and multifamily properties; one-to-four family residential real estate loans, such as second mortgage loans; and consumer loans, such as secured and unsecured installment and term loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and auto loans, as well as loans for personal, family, and household purposes. In addition, the company offers treasury management products, including remote deposit capture, lockbox payment processing, virtual vault, positive pay, ACH origination, wire transfer, investment sweep accounts, and business internet banking services. Further, it provides various other banking services, such as cashiers' checks, direct deposit of payroll and social security checks, night depository, bank-by-mail, automated teller machines, electronic statements, interactive teller machines, online account opening, and mobile wallet payment services.

Investar Holding Corporation was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Receive News & Ratings for Isabella Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Isabella Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

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