Fact based stock research
Community Bank System (NYSE:CBU)

US2036071064

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For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".

Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".

Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.

Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.

(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).

(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.

Community Bank System stock research in summary

ir.communitybanksystem.com

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 83 (better than 83% compared with investment alternatives), Community Bank System (Regional Banks, USA) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of Community Bank System are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 27 (worse than 73% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 61) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 91, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 83, is a strong buy recommendation based on Community Bank System's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Community Bank System exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 27), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 61). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 91) are a double-edged sword: if the company continues growing, low debt limits shareholder returns. But if the company increases its debt, it will also increase risk. In other words, this is an investment on the safer side, despite the above-average price (low value). Obermatt Premium subscribers can further check the stock’s Sentiment Ranks, which also flow into the Obermatt 360° View for investors. ...read more

Latest Obermatt Ranks


360° View^new
Sentiment Rank^new
Value Rank	27
Growth Rank	61
Safety Rank	91
Combined Rank	83

Country	USA
Industry	Regional Banks
Index
Size class	Small

31-Jul-2025. Stock data may be delayed. Log in or sign up to get the most recent research.

Further information

Multiple opinions. One number.

Analysts rarely agree on a stock’s future. So, who do you believe? Obermatt translates those collective views into a single Sentiment Rank. That plus the financial ranks give you the ultimate 360° View. Sign up to access them.

Why popular stocks have low ratings

It’s easier said than done. When your stock drops, it’s easy to want to sell it and find a better performer. Think twice, or even three times, before trading. Those fees (especially the hidden ones) can eat up your gains.

Review the performance ranks of the individual metrics that form each investment strategy.

Research History: Community Bank System

RESEARCH HISTORY	2022	2023	2024	2025
VALUE
VALUE	5	10	12	27
GROWTH
GROWTH	31	38	77	61
SAFETY
SAFETY	83	82	98	91
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT	56	65	72	^new
360° VIEW
360° VIEW	25	55	83	^new

Most recent update of the stock research: 31-Jul-2025. Financial reporting date used for calculating ranks: 31-Mar-2025. Stock research history is based on the Obermatt Method. The higher the rank, the better Community Bank System is in the corresponding investment strategy.
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Combined financial peformance in Detail

RESEARCH HISTORY	2022	2023	2024	2025
VALUE
VALUE	5	10	12	27
GROWTH
GROWTH	31	38	77	61
SAFETY
SAFETY	83	82	98	91
COMBINED
COMBINED	17	27	78	83

Last update of combined financial performance: 31-Jul-2025. Stock analysis on combined financial performance: The higher the rank of Community Bank System the better the performance.

Value Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 27 (worse than 73% compared with alternatives), Community Bank System shares are more expensive than the average comparable stock. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Community Bank System. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 70% of comparable companies, making the stock an attractive buy for dividend investors. However, dividend investors may get disappointed because all other critical financial indicators are below the market median: Price-to-Sales is 33 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 67% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Community Bank System's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 26 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 74% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 11 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 89% of comparable investments. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 27, is a hold recommendation based on Community Bank System's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Community Bank System? The company-reported financials speak against it. The company is expensive compared with revenue and invested capital levels, two reliable company size indicators. In addition, it currently has a low level of profits. How can future dividends be paid in the case that profits remain low? Dividend investors should choose Community Bank System only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision, which is essential in this case, as the financial indicators are inconclusive. ...read more

VALUE METRICS	2022	2023	2024	2025
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)	7	16	22	33
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)	3	13	16	26
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)	7	7	7	11
DIVIDEND YIELD
DIVIDEND YIELD	37	50	46	70
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE	5	10	12	27

Last update of Value Rank: 31-Jul-2025. Stock analysis on value ratios: The higher the rank, the lower the value ratio of Community Bank System; except for dividend yield where the rank is higher, the higher the yield.

Growth Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 61 (better than 61% compared with alternatives), Community Bank System shows an above-average growth dynamic in its industry. Investors also speak of positive momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with half of the indicators below and half above average for Community Bank System. Sales Growth has a rank of 79, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 79% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 67 is also above average. But Capital Growth has only a rank of 33, and Stock Returns with 19 are also below-average. Stock returns for Community Bank System have recently been below 81% of alternative investments. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 61, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. Are investors forecasting troubles based on the lack of operating investment activity at the company? This could be one explanation as to why stock returns are low. But stock returns can also be the result of correcting an error in the past, in this case, an overly optimistic outlook on the future, which is now more realistic. The Value Ranks may confirm such a picture. The more important growth indicators are revenues and profits, which are both above average for Community Bank System. This is a positive sign from the company's operational side and may give investors courage, despite the poor recent stock price performance. While momentum is a popular investment factor, the value aspect might be the more important one, in the longer term. We recommend analyzing the stock with the Obermatt Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks to arrive at a 360° View of the stock purchase case, especially since the growth performance is mixed here. ...read more

GROWTH METRICS	2022	2023	2024	2025
REVENUE GROWTH
REVENUE GROWTH	63	87	70	79
PROFIT GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH	18	57	70	67
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH	75	12	23	33
STOCK RETURNS
STOCK RETURNS	17	21	81	19
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH	31	38	77	61

Last update of Growth Rank: 31-Jul-2025. Stock analysis on growth metrics: The higher the rank, the higher the growth and returns of Community Bank System.

Safety Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 91 (better than 91% compared with alternatives) for 2025, the company Community Bank System has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of Community Bank System is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with two out of three indicators above average for Community Bank System. Leverage is at a rank of 84, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 84% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at a rank of 90, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 90% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is on the safer side when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is lower at a rank of 8, which means that the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is above-average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 92% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 91 (better than 91% compared with alternatives), Community Bank System has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. The refinancing issues could be a short-term problem, especially if the company has reputation issues. Banks and investors don't like to refinance debt if there are clouds on the horizon. For this reason, investors should look at the refinancing environment for Community Bank System. Does it look safe that debt that is coming due can be covered with new debt? If that is the case, then the financing situation of the company is on the safer side. If not, it may be better to wait until refinancing has been completed and the Refinancing rank is good again. Investors may have a short-term debt challenge with Community Bank System and should also compare Obermatt’s Value, Growth, and Sentiment Ranks before making a decision. ...read more

SAFETY METRICS	2022	2023	2024	2025
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE	94	93	66	84
REFINANCING
REFINANCING	6	1	59	8
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY	91	94	96	90
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY	83	82	98	91

Last update of Safety Rank: 31-Jul-2025. Stock analysis on safety metrics: The higher the rank, the lower the leverage of Community Bank System and the more cash is available to service its debt.

Sentiment Metrics in Detail

SENTIMENT	2022	2023	2024	2025
ANALYST OPINIONS
ANALYST OPINIONS	n/a	36	44	^new
OPINIONS CHANGE
OPINIONS CHANGE	50	50	77	^new
PRO HOLDINGS
PRO HOLDINGS	96	84	74	^new
MARKET PULSE
MARKET PULSE	38	53	53	^new
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT	56	65	72	^new

Last update of Sentiment Rank: 31-Jul-2025. Stock analysis on sentiment metrics: The higher the rank, the more positive the sentiment for Community Bank System.
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