Primis Financial Corp (FRST) vs Investar Holding Corporation (ISTR)
A side-by-side comparison of Primis Financial Corp and Investar Holding Corporation 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 — FRST vs ISTR
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yFRST vs ISTR: by the numbers
- •ISTR is the larger company ($405M vs $388M market cap).
- •FRST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (7.21 vs 12.36 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ISTR converts more revenue to profit (17.83% vs 16.99% net margin).
- •FRST grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.91% vs 11.95% CAGR).
- •FRST pays the higher dividend yield (2.58% vs 1.57%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FRST | ISTR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 7.21 | 12.36 |
| Forward P/E | 11.21 | 9.31 |
| PEG ratio | 0.34 | 1.19 |
| P/S ratio | 1.24 | 2.15 |
| P/B ratio | 0.89 | 1.04 |
Profitability
| Metric | FRST | ISTR |
|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 21.59% | 19.27% |
| Net margin | 16.99% | 17.83% |
| ROE | 12.24% | 8.00% |
Primis Financial Corp: 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.
Investar Holding 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.
Dividends
| Metric | FRST | ISTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.58% | 1.57% |
| Payout ratio | 18.52% | 19.33% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FRST | ISTR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 19.91% | 11.95% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 21.00% | 11.82% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.57% | 8.25% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, FRST or ISTR?
- FRST has the lower trailing P/E: FRST trades at 7.21 and ISTR at 12.36. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, FRST or ISTR?
- Over the past five years, FRST grew revenue faster — FRST at a 19.91% CAGR versus ISTR at 11.95%.
- Does FRST or ISTR pay a bigger dividend?
- FRST yields 2.58% and ISTR yields 1.57% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FRST or ISTR more profitable?
- ISTR runs the higher net margin — FRST at 16.99% versus ISTR at 17.83%.
- How have FRST and ISTR total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, FRST delivered 4.70% and ISTR delivered 8.36% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Primis Financial & Investar 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.