Alerus Financial (ALRS) vs SmartFinancial (SMBK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Alerus Financial (ALRS) has outperformed SmartFinancial (SMBK) over the past year, gaining 46.6% versus a gain of 43.1%. Over five years, SMBK leads with a +93.6% price change compared with +1.1% for ALRS. SmartFinancial is the larger company by market cap ($855.3 million vs $774.5 million), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Alerus Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (11.1x vs 12.0x for SmartFinancial). Alerus Financial offers the higher dividend yield (2.74% vs 0.66%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ALRS | SMBK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $31.07 | $50.02 |
| Market cap | $774.50M | $855.27M |
| 1-day change | -1.86% | -0.08% |
| YTD return | +40.59% | +35.33% |
| 1-year return | +46.57% | +43.07% |
| 5-year return | +1.09% | +93.58% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 28.77 | 14.76 |
| Forward P/E | 11.06 | 11.95 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.08 | $3.39 |
| Dividend yield | 2.74% | 0.66% |
| Annual dividend | $0.85 | $0.33 |
| 52-week high | $34.40 | $54.14 |
| 52-week low | $20.31 | $33.01 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.68% | -7.61% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.29% | +5.38% |
| Average volume | 187.10K | 122.63K |
| Shares outstanding | 24.93M | 17.10M |
| Employees | 821 | 581 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Major Banks | Major Banks |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Alerus Financial trades at a higher earnings multiple (28.8x vs 14.8x trailing P/E).
- Alerus Financial offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.74% vs 0.66%).
About Alerus Financial
ALRS stock →Alerus Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Alerus Financial, National Association that provides various financial services to businesses and consumers in the United States. The company operates in three segments: Banking, Retirement and Benefit Services, and Wealth.
Finance · Major Banks · 821 employees
About SmartFinancial
SMBK stock →SmartFinancial, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for SmartBank that provides various financial services to individuals and corporate customers in the United States.
Finance · Major Banks · 581 employees
ALRS vs SMBK FAQ
Which is bigger, Alerus Financial or SmartFinancial?
SmartFinancial (SMBK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $855.27M compared with $774.50M for Alerus Financial (ALRS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALRS or SMBK?
ALRS returned +46.57% over the past 12 months, compared with +43.07% for SMBK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ALRS or SMBK?
SMBK has the lower trailing P/E at 14.8, versus 28.8 for ALRS. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Alerus Financial or SmartFinancial?
Alerus Financial has the higher yield at 2.74%, compared with 0.66% for SmartFinancial.
Are Alerus Financial and SmartFinancial in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.