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FRA vs ISTR

FRA
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc.
NEUTRAL
Price
$11.11
Market Cap
$393.7M
Sector
Financial Services
AI Confidence
85%
ISTR
Investar Holding Corporation
NEUTRAL
Price
$28.54
Market Cap
$392.4M
Sector
Financial Services
AI Confidence
80%

Valuation

P/E Ratio
FRA
15.87
ISTR
13.4
Forward P/E
FRA
--
ISTR
8.27
P/B Ratio
FRA
0.86
ISTR
1.03
P/S Ratio
FRA
9.01
ISTR
4.2
EV/EBITDA
FRA
--
ISTR
--

Profitability

Gross Margin
FRA
100.0%
ISTR
0.0%
Operating Margin
FRA
82.7%
ISTR
30.2%
Profit Margin
FRA
55.85%
ISTR
24.54%
ROE
FRA
5.52%
ISTR
8.45%
ROA
FRA
4.17%
ISTR
0.82%

Growth

Revenue Growth
FRA
--
ISTR
14.8%
Earnings Growth
FRA
--
ISTR
-15.4%

Financial Health

Debt/Equity
FRA
0.43
ISTR
--
Current Ratio
FRA
0.33
ISTR
--
Quick Ratio
FRA
0.32
ISTR
--

Dividends

Dividend Yield
FRA
13.38%
ISTR
1.54%
Payout Ratio
FRA
212.3%
ISTR
20.42%

AI Verdict

FRA NEUTRAL

FRA presents a complex profile with a stable Piotroski F-Score of 6/9 and a Graham Number of $14.29 suggesting defensive value, yet it is countered by a bearish technical trend (0/100) and a low growth-based intrinsic value of $4.90. While the fund trades at a discount to book value (P/B 0.86) and maintains strong operating margins, the dividend profile is highly concerning. The payout ratio of 212.30% indicates that the current 13.38% yield is unsustainable and likely being funded by capital returns rather than earnings. Overall, the asset is a value play with significant income-stability risks.

Strengths
Trading below book value (P/B 0.86)
Strong operating margins (82.70%)
Stable financial health per Piotroski F-Score (6/9)
Risks
Unsustainable payout ratio (212.30%)
Strongly bearish technical trend (0/100)
Current price significantly exceeds growth-based intrinsic value ($4.90)
ISTR NEUTRAL

Investar Holding Corporation presents a conflicting profile: while valuation metrics are defensive, the deterministic health indicators are weak. The Piotroski F-Score of 3/9 signals significant fundamental weakness, and the stock is trading well above its growth-based intrinsic value of $14.91. Despite a 'Strong Buy' analyst consensus and consistent earnings beats, the divergence between rising revenue (+14.8%) and falling earnings (-15.4%) suggests margin compression or rising operational costs. The bearish technical trend and recent CEO selling further temper the bullish analyst outlook.

Strengths
Attractive Price-to-Book ratio of 1.03
Strong track record of earnings surprises (3/4 beats in last 4 quarters)
Positive top-line revenue growth of 14.8% YoY
Risks
Weak financial health indicated by a Piotroski F-Score of 3/9
Negative YoY earnings growth of -15.4%
Bearish insider sentiment following CEO share liquidation

Compare Another Pair

FRA vs ISTR: Head-to-Head Comparison

This page compares BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. (FRA) and Investar Holding Corporation (ISTR) across key fundamental metrics including valuation ratios, profitability margins, growth rates, financial health indicators, and dividend metrics. Each metric highlights the better-performing stock so you can quickly identify relative strengths and weaknesses.

Our AI engine independently analyzes each company's financials, competitive position, and market conditions to produce a verdict (Bullish, Neutral, or Bearish) along with key strengths and risks. Use this comparison alongside your own research to make informed investment decisions.

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