Fact based stock research
Investar (NasdaqGM:ISTR)

US46134L1052

How to read the free ranks

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.

Investar stock research in summary

investarbank.com

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 70 (better than 70% compared with investment alternatives), Investar (Regional Banks, USA) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Investar are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 60 (better than 60% of alternatives), show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 68) but are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 47), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 70, is a buy recommendation based on Investar's financial characteristics. As the company Investar's key financial metrics exhibit excellent performance in two areas, such as good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 60) and above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 68), it could be argued that the risk-taking in financing (Obermatt Safety Rank of only 47) indicates that the company is optimistic about the future and sees debt as an opportunity to boost returns. More debt means more shareholder returns if everything goes well. However, higher debt burdens are risky when interest rates rise or the business deteriorates in a crisis. If you believe the company's future is market-typical or even better, this could be an argument for a share purchase. 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	60
Growth Rank	68
Safety Rank	47
Combined Rank	70

Country	USA
Industry	Regional Banks
Index	Sound Pay USA, NASDAQ
Size class	X-Small

19-Dec-2024. 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: Investar

RESEARCH HISTORY	2021	2022	2023	2024
VALUE
VALUE	63	93	88	60
GROWTH
GROWTH	8	1	4	68
SAFETY
SAFETY	74	47	66	47
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT	n/a	27	55	^new
360° VIEW
360° VIEW	n/a	27	54	^new

Most recent update of the stock research: 19-Dec-2024. Financial reporting date used for calculating ranks: 30-Sep-2024. Stock research history is based on the Obermatt Method. The higher the rank, the better Investar is in the corresponding investment strategy.
Upgrade to a Premium Account to access the latest ranks.

Combined financial peformance in Detail

RESEARCH HISTORY	2021	2022	2023	2024
VALUE
VALUE	63	93	88	60
GROWTH
GROWTH	8	1	4	68
SAFETY
SAFETY	74	47	66	47
COMBINED
COMBINED	38	41	56	70

Last update of combined financial performance: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on combined financial performance: The higher the rank of Investar the better the performance.

Value Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 60 (better than 60% compared with alternatives), Investar shares are more attractively priced than the majority of comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, where half the indicators are below and half above average for Investar. Price-to-Sales (P/S) is 91, which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 91% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning Investar's revenue size. The same is valid for the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio), which is more favorable than for 85% of alternatives (15% of peers have a higher ratio). But expected dividend yields with a Dividend Yield rank of 22 are lower than average (dividends are expected to be lower than 78% of other stocks) while the Price to Profit ratio (or Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio) is higher than average with a Price-to-Profit Rank of 46, making the stock more expensive compared with the company's expected profit levels. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 60, is a buy recommendation based on Investar's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Low profits and low dividends as seen here for Investar may indicate a restructuring phase. This could be transitory, making the company a good value when profits recover and dividends return to higher levels. If the stock price is compared with the size indicators for revenue and invested capital, it is on the lower side, making this stock a good value investment (apart from current profit and dividend expectations). We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision. ...read more

VALUE METRICS	2021	2022	2023	2024
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)	88	97	93	91
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)	1	95	75	46
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)	94	97	93	85
DIVIDEND YIELD
DIVIDEND YIELD	31	31	36	22
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE	63	93	88	60

Last update of Value Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on value ratios: The higher the rank, the lower the value ratio of Investar; except for dividend yield where the rank is higher, the higher the yield.

Growth Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 68 (better than 68% compared with alternatives), Investar 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 Investar. Sales Growth has a rank of 73 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow more than 73% of its competitors. Stock Returns are also above average with a rank of 94. But Capital Growth has only a rank of 20, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital less than 80% of its competitors. Profit Growth is also low, with a rank of only 45, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow its profits below average. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 68, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. This is a surprising picture, as the messages from the operating growth indicators of revenues, profits, and invested capital are mixed, while stock returns are above average. It may indicate new intellectual properties, such as brand improvement or a strong market position that shows in revenues but not in the capital. The low profit-growth rate may indicate an early phase where costs are still high, and revenues don't fully cover upfront investments or fixed costs. The positive investor outlook with a 94% peer outperformance is reaffirmed in this case which may be a good sign for an investment into a well-protected high-growth company. This fact needs to be confirmed by researching the company website and press. 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 Obermatt’s 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	2021	2022	2023	2024
REVENUE GROWTH
REVENUE GROWTH	2	62	46	73
PROFIT GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH	n/a	1	25	45
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH	n/a	9	21	20
STOCK RETURNS
STOCK RETURNS	49	7	7	94
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH	8	1	4	68

Last update of Growth Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on growth metrics: The higher the rank, the higher the growth and returns of Investar.

Safety Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 47 (better than 47% compared with alternatives), the company Investar has financing practices on the riskier side, which means that their overall debt burden is above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of Investar is also risky, it only means that the company is on the riskier side in respect to bankruptcy in case things turn sour, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with just one indicator above average for Investar and the other two below average. Refinancing is at 94, meaning the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 94% of its competitors. But Leverage is high with a rank of 21, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 79% of its competitors. Liquidity is also on the riskier side with a rank of 32, meaning the company generates less profit to service its debt than 68% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 47 (worse than 53% compared with alternatives), Investar has a financing structure that is riskier than that of its competitors. A good Refinancing Rank means that the problems of the company may not be around the corner. But high Leverage is only good if things go well, and low Liquidity is a signal for caution. The financing signals for Investar are on the riskier side, requiring the company's future to be on the safer side. Investors may want to look at Growth and Sentiment ranks before making an investment decision. In the long-term, investors may have a debt challenge with Investar and should also compare Obermatt’s Value, Growth, and Sentiment Ranks before making a decision. ...read more

SAFETY METRICS	2021	2022	2023	2024
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE	82	30	13	21
REFINANCING
REFINANCING	90	83	96	94
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY	21	23	57	32
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY	74	47	66	47

Last update of Safety Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on safety metrics: The higher the rank, the lower the leverage of Investar and the more cash is available to service its debt.

Sentiment Metrics in Detail

SENTIMENT	2021	2022	2023	2024
ANALYST OPINIONS
ANALYST OPINIONS	n/a	56	97	^new
OPINIONS CHANGE
OPINIONS CHANGE	n/a	50	50	^new
PRO HOLDINGS
PRO HOLDINGS	n/a	18	42	^new
MARKET PULSE
MARKET PULSE	n/a	24	11	^new
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT	n/a	27	55	^new

Last update of Sentiment Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on sentiment metrics: The higher the rank, the more positive the sentiment for Investar.
Upgrade to a Premium Account to access the latest ranks.