Kentucky First Federal Bancorp (NASDAQ:KFFB – Get Free Report) and Banner (NASDAQ:BANR – Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and risk.
Insider & Institutional Ownership
3.2% of Kentucky First Federal Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 87.3% of Banner shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.9% of Kentucky First Federal Bancorp shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.6% of Banner shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Kentucky First Federal Bancorp and Banner, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Kentucky First Federal Bancorp | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
| Banner | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2.67 |
Volatility & Risk
Kentucky First Federal Bancorp has a beta of 0.16, indicating that its stock price is 84% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Banner has a beta of 0.91, indicating that its stock price is 9% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares Kentucky First Federal Bancorp and Banner”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Kentucky First Federal Bancorp | $19.74 million | 1.63 | $180,000.00 | $0.02 | 198.50 |
| Banner | $647.40 million | 3.37 | $168.90 million | $5.49 | 11.48 |
Banner has higher revenue and earnings than Kentucky First Federal Bancorp. Banner is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Kentucky First Federal Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability
This table compares Kentucky First Federal Bancorp and Banner’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Kentucky First Federal Bancorp | 0.92% | 0.38% | 0.05% |
| Banner | 21.80% | 10.32% | 1.17% |
Summary
Banner beats Kentucky First Federal Bancorp on 12 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Kentucky First Federal Bancorp
Kentucky First Federal Bancorp operates as the holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Hazard, and Frankfort First Bancorp, Inc. that provide various banking products and services in Kentucky. It accepts deposit products include passbook savings and certificate accounts, checking accounts, and individual retirement accounts. The company's loan portfolio comprises one-to four-family residential mortgage loans; construction loans; mortgage loans secured by multi-family property; nonresidential loans that are secured by commercial office buildings, churches, and properties used for other purposes; commercial non-mortgage loans; and consumer loans, such as home equity lines of credit, loans secured by savings deposits, automobile loans, and unsecured or personal loans. It also invests in mortgage-backed securities. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is based in Hazard, Kentucky. Kentucky First Federal Bancorp is a subsidiary of First Federal MHC.
About Banner
Banner Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Banner Bank that engages in the provision of commercial banking and financial products and services to individuals, businesses, and public sector entities in the United States. It accepts various deposit instruments, including interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, regular savings accounts, and certificates of deposit, as well as treasury management services and retirement savings plans. The company also provides commercial real estate loans, including owner-occupied, investment properties, and multifamily residential real estate loans; construction, land, and land development loans; one- to four-family residential real estate lending; commercial business loans; agricultural loans; consumer and other loans, such as home equity lines of credit, automobile, and boat and recreational vehicle loans, as well as loans secured by deposit accounts; and small business administration loans. In addition, it provides electronic and digital banking services comprising debit cards and ATMs, internet banking, remote deposit, and mobile banking services. The company was founded in 1890 and is based in Walla Walla, Washington.
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