WallStSmart

Investar Holding Corp (ISTR)vsJPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

JPMorgan Chase & Co generates 153173% more annual revenue ($186.33B vs $121.57M). JPM leads profitability with a 34.9% profit margin vs 27.7%. ISTR trades at a lower P/E of 12.3x. JPM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 81/100 (A-).

ISTR

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 7.5Value: 6.0Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -0.15

JPM

Exceptional Buy

81

out of 100

Grade: A-

Growth: 10.0Profit: 8.0Value: 5.7Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.55

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ISTR6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Price/BookValuation
1.1x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
39.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 39.1%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
66.2%10/10

Revenue surging 66.2% year-over-year

Profit MarginProfitability
27.7%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
12.3x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

EPS GrowthGrowth
33.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 33.5% YoY

JPM6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$946.93B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
34.9%10/10

Keeps 35 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
50.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 50.4%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
30.4%10/10

Revenue surging 30.4% year-over-year

P/E RatioValuation
15.2x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
2.7x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

ISTR2 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Market CapQuality
$418.82M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.152/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

JPM4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.644/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-25.28B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.552/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
3.301/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ISTR

The strongest argument for ISTR centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, Revenue Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.7% and operating margin at 39.1%. Revenue growth of 66.2% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : JPM

The strongest argument for JPM centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.9% and operating margin at 50.4%. Revenue growth of 30.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : ISTR

The primary concerns for ISTR are Market Cap, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : JPM

The primary concerns for JPM are PEG Ratio, Free Cash Flow, Altman Z-Score. Debt-to-equity of 3.30 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

JPM carries more volatility with a beta of 0.97 — expect wider price swings.

ISTR is growing revenue faster at 66.2% — sustainability is the question.

ISTR generates stronger free cash flow (6M), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor BANKS - REGIONAL industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

JPM scores higher overall (81/100 vs 70/100), backed by strong 34.9% margins and 30.4% revenue growth. Both earn "Exceptional Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Investar Holding Corp

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Investar Holding Corporation is the banking holding company of Investar Bank offering a range of commercial banking products to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses in southern Louisiana. The company is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

JPMorgan Chase & Co

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is an American multinational investment bank and financial services holding company headquartered in New York City. JPMorgan Chase is incorporated in Delaware. As a Bulge Bracket bank, it is a major provider of various investment banking and financial services. It is one of America's Big Four banks, along with Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo. JPMorgan Chase is considered to be a universal bank and a custodian bank. The J.P. Morgan brand is used by the investment banking, asset management, private banking, private wealth management, and treasury services divisions.

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