First Bank (FRBA) vs Investar (ISTR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Investar (ISTR) has outperformed First Bank (FRBA) over the past year, gaining 26.4% versus a gain of 13.8%. Over five years, ISTR leads with a +59.1% price change compared with +17.4% for FRBA. First Bank is the larger company by market cap ($438.1 million vs $400.4 million), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Investar trades at a lower forward P/E (8.8x vs 9.8x for First Bank). First Bank offers the higher dividend yield (1.69% vs 1.55%).
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 | FRBA | ISTR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $17.70 | $29.06 |
| Market cap | $438.15M | $400.36M |
| 1-day change | +0.85% | +0.24% |
| YTD return | +7.53% | +8.76% |
| 1-year return | +13.75% | +26.43% |
| 5-year return | +17.37% | +59.06% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 10.35 | 11.96 |
| Forward P/E | 9.81 | 8.81 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.71 | $2.43 |
| Dividend yield | 1.69% | 1.55% |
| Annual dividend | $0.30 | $0.45 |
| 52-week high | $19.33 | $31.77 |
| 52-week low | $14.41 | $21.43 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.43% | -8.53% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.99% | +17.86% |
| Average volume | 95.83K | 128.98K |
| Shares outstanding | 24.75M | 13.78M |
| Employees | 338 | 421 |
| 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
- ISTR has outperformed FRBA by 12.7 percentage points over the past year.
About First Bank
FRBA stock →First Bank provides various banking products and services to small and mid-sized businesses and individuals. It accepts various deposits, including non-interest- and interest-bearing demand deposits, money market accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit, as well as commercial checking and cash management accounts.
Finance · Major Banks · 338 employees
About Investar
ISTR stock →Investar Holding Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Investar Bank that provides a range of commercial banking products to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in south Louisiana, southeast Texas, and Alabama in the United States. The company offers various deposit products and services, such as savings, checking, money market, and individual retirement accounts, as well as various certificates of deposit; debit and credit cards; internet, mobile, and video banking services; and reciprocal deposit products.
Finance · Major Banks · 421 employees
FRBA vs ISTR FAQ
Which is bigger, First Bank or Investar?
First Bank (FRBA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $438.15M compared with $400.36M for Investar (ISTR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FRBA or ISTR?
ISTR returned +26.43% over the past 12 months, compared with +13.75% for FRBA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FRBA or ISTR?
FRBA has the lower trailing P/E at 10.4, versus 12.0 for ISTR. 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, First Bank or Investar?
First Bank has the higher yield at 1.69%, compared with 1.55% for Investar.
Are First Bank and Investar in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.