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ISTR vs LEO

ISTR
Investar Holding Corporation
NEUTRAL
Price
$28.54
Market Cap
$392.4M
Sector
Financial Services
AI Confidence
80%
LEO
BNY Mellon Strategic Municipals, Inc.
BEARISH
Price
$6.32
Market Cap
$393.7M
Sector
Financial Services
AI Confidence
85%

Valuation

P/E Ratio
ISTR
13.4
LEO
--
Forward P/E
ISTR
8.27
LEO
--
P/B Ratio
ISTR
1.03
LEO
0.93
P/S Ratio
ISTR
4.2
LEO
13.14
EV/EBITDA
ISTR
--
LEO
--

Profitability

Gross Margin
ISTR
0.0%
LEO
100.0%
Operating Margin
ISTR
30.2%
LEO
87.83%
Profit Margin
ISTR
24.54%
LEO
-43.7%
ROE
ISTR
8.45%
LEO
-2.99%
ROA
ISTR
0.82%
LEO
2.48%

Growth

Revenue Growth
ISTR
14.8%
LEO
3.5%
Earnings Growth
ISTR
-15.4%
LEO
-67.4%

Financial Health

Debt/Equity
ISTR
--
LEO
0.33
Current Ratio
ISTR
--
LEO
0.06
Quick Ratio
ISTR
--
LEO
0.06

Dividends

Dividend Yield
ISTR
1.54%
LEO
4.45%
Payout Ratio
ISTR
20.42%
LEO
626.82%

AI Verdict

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
LEO BEARISH

LEO presents a precarious financial profile, anchored by a stable but mediocre Piotroski F-Score of 4/9. While the stock trades slightly below book value (P/B 0.93), this is overshadowed by a catastrophic earnings collapse of -67.4% and a completely unsustainable dividend payout ratio of 626.82%. The combination of negative profit margins and a 0/100 technical trend suggests that recent price gains are disconnected from fundamental deterioration.

Strengths
Trading at a discount to book value (P/B 0.93)
Low Debt/Equity ratio (0.33) relative to sector average
Positive Return on Assets (ROA 2.48%)
Risks
Unsustainable dividend payout ratio (626.82%)
Severe earnings contraction (-67.4% YoY)
Deeply negative profit margins (-43.70%)

Compare Another Pair

ISTR vs LEO: Head-to-Head Comparison

This page compares Investar Holding Corporation (ISTR) and BNY Mellon Strategic Municipals, Inc. (LEO) 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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