Alerus Financial Corporation (ALRS) vs Carter Bankshares, Inc. (CARE)
A side-by-side comparison of Alerus Financial Corporation and Carter Bankshares, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Total return — ALRS vs CARE
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yALRS vs CARE: by the numbers
- •ALRS is the larger company ($817M vs $675M market cap).
- •CARE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (5.18 vs 30.11 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CARE converts more revenue to profit (36.89% vs 8.33% net margin).
- •CARE grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.25% vs 5.76% CAGR).
- •ALRS pays the higher dividend yield (2.65% vs 0.65%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ALRS | CARE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 30.11 | 5.18 |
| Forward P/E | 10.78 | 5.04 |
| P/S ratio | 2.46 | 1.94 |
| P/B ratio | 1.40 | 1.25 |
Profitability
| Metric | ALRS | CARE |
|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 10.36% | 15.71% |
| Net margin | 8.33% | 36.89% |
| ROE | 4.75% | 23.85% |
Alerus Financial Corporation: Gross margin is not shown for a lender or insurer: its revenue is interest, premiums and fees rather than the sale of goods, so there is no cost of goods sold to measure it against.
Carter Bankshares, Inc.: Gross margin is not shown for a lender or insurer: its revenue is interest, premiums and fees rather than the sale of goods, so there is no cost of goods sold to measure it against.
Dividends
| Metric | ALRS | CARE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.65% | 0.65% |
| Payout ratio | 79.63% | 3.40% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ALRS | CARE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.76% | 17.25% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -23.13% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.67% | 15.68% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ALRS or CARE?
- CARE has the lower trailing P/E: ALRS trades at 30.11 and CARE at 5.18. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ALRS or CARE?
- Over the past five years, CARE grew revenue faster — ALRS at a 5.76% CAGR versus CARE at 17.25%.
- Does ALRS or CARE pay a bigger dividend?
- ALRS yields 2.65% and CARE yields 0.65% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ALRS or CARE more profitable?
- CARE runs the higher net margin — ALRS at 8.33% versus CARE at 36.89%.
- How have ALRS and CARE total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ALRS delivered 9.99% and CARE delivered 9.07% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Alerus Financial & Carter Bankshares appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.