Investar (ISTR) vs Pioneer Bancorp (PBFS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Pioneer Bancorp (PBFS) has outperformed Investar (ISTR) over the past year, gaining 34.3% versus a gain of 26.4%. Over five years, ISTR leads with a +59.1% price change compared with +43.1% for PBFS. Pioneer Bancorp is the larger company by market cap ($426.0 million vs $397.7 million), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Investar trades at a lower trailing P/E (11.9x vs 25.2x for Pioneer Bancorp). Investar pays a dividend yielding 1.56%, while Pioneer Bancorp does not currently pay one.
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 | ISTR | PBFS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $28.87 | $17.62 |
| Market cap | $397.74M | $426.05M |
| 1-day change | -0.65% | 0.00% |
| YTD return | +8.76% | +30.71% |
| 1-year return | +26.43% | +34.30% |
| 5-year return | +59.06% | +43.14% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.88 | 25.17 |
| Forward P/E | 8.76 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.43 | $0.70 |
| Dividend yield | 1.56% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.45 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $31.77 | $19.91 |
| 52-week low | $21.43 | $12.64 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.13% | -11.50% |
| Analyst consensus | none | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.64% | — |
| Average volume | 128.98K | 12.62K |
| Shares outstanding | 13.78M | 24.18M |
| Employees | 421 | 298 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Major Banks | 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
- Pioneer Bancorp trades at a higher earnings multiple (25.2x vs 11.9x trailing P/E).
- Investar offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.56% vs 0.00%).
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
About Pioneer Bancorp
PBFS stock →Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. operates as a holding company for Pioneer Bank, National Association that provides various banking products and services in New York.
Finance · Banks · 298 employees
ISTR vs PBFS FAQ
Which is bigger, Investar or Pioneer Bancorp?
Pioneer Bancorp (PBFS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $426.05M compared with $397.74M for Investar (ISTR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ISTR or PBFS?
PBFS returned +34.30% over the past 12 months, compared with +26.43% for ISTR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ISTR or PBFS?
ISTR has the lower trailing P/E at 11.9, versus 25.2 for PBFS. 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, Investar or Pioneer Bancorp?
Investar pays a dividend yielding 1.56%, while Pioneer Bancorp does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Investar and Pioneer Bancorp in the same industry?
Both are in the Finance sector, but in different industries: Major Banks for Investar and Banks for Pioneer Bancorp.