CNOB
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$1.52B
5Y Perf.+105.7%
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Stock Comparison
CNOB vs OCFC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
OCFC
OceanFirst Financial Corp.
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$1.09B
5Y Perf.+14.0%
CNOB vs OCFC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CNOB | OCFC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
| Market Cap | $1.52B | $1.09B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $606M | $656M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $80M | $71M |
| Gross Margin | 44.2% | 54.5% |
| Operating Margin | 18.6% | 14.1% |
| Forward P/E | 9.3x | 10.0x |
| Total Debt | $1.17B | $1.63B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $92M | $135M |
CNOB vs OCFC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CNOB
OCFC
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| ConnectOne Bancorp,… (CNOB) | 100 | 205.7 | +105.7% |
| OceanFirst Financia… (OCFC) | 100 | 114.0 | +14.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CNOB vs OCFC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CNOB leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. OceanFirst Financial Corp. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CNOB
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
The Banking Pick
CNOB carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 13.4%, EPS growth -15.9%
- 111.5% 10Y total return vs OCFC's 45.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.10, Low D/E 74.4%, current ratio 391.51x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
OCFC
OceanFirst Financial Corp.
The Banking Pick
OCFC is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.05, yield 4.4%
- Beta 1.05, yield 4.4%, current ratio 0.13x
- Beta 1.05 vs CNOB's 1.10
Best for: income & stability and defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CNOB | 13.4% NII/revenue growth vs OCFC's -4.7% |
| Value | CNOB | Lower P/E (9.3x vs 10.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | CNOB | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs OCFC's 0.4% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | OCFC | Beta 1.05 vs CNOB's 1.10 |
| Dividends | OCFC | 4.4% yield, vs CNOB's 2.1% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CNOB | +33.1% vs OCFC's +18.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CNOB | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs OCFC's 0.4% |
CNOB vs OCFC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
CNOB vs OCFC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCNOBLAGGINGOCFC
OCFCOceanFirst Financial …
2leads
CNOBConnectOne Bancorp, I…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs OCFCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CNOB4/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
OCFC4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CNOB7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CNOB6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
OCFC1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CNOB leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
OCFC and CNOB operate at a comparable scale, with $656M and $606M in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 13.3% (CNOB) to 10.8% (OCFC).
| Metric | CNOBConnectOne Bancor… | OCFCOceanFirst Financ… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $606M | $656M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $122M | $103M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $80M | $71M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $102M | $80M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +44.2% | +54.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +18.6% | +14.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +13.3% | +10.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +16.7% | +12.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +53.1% | -36.1% |
CNOB leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
OCFC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 16.3x trailing earnings, OCFC trades at a 20% valuation discount to CNOB's 20.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CNOB's 23.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than OCFC's 27.8x.
| Metric | CNOBConnectOne Bancor… | OCFCOceanFirst Financ… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.5B | $1.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $2.6B | $2.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 20.38x | 16.27x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 9.34x | 10.01x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 5.85x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 23.01x | 27.79x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.50x | 1.67x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.97x | 0.66x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 15.02x | 13.75x |
OCFC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CNOB leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CNOB delivers a 5.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $5 in annual profit, vs $4 for OCFC. CNOB carries lower financial leverage with a 0.74x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to OCFC's 0.98x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), OCFC scores 6/9 vs CNOB's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | CNOBConnectOne Bancor… | OCFCOceanFirst Financ… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +5.5% | +4.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.6% | +0.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.5% | +2.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.5% | +2.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.74x | 0.98x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.1B | $1.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $92M | $135M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.2B | $1.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.39x | 0.33x |
CNOB leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CNOB leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CNOB five years ago would be worth $11,900 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $10,235 for OCFC. Over the past 12 months, CNOB leads with a +33.1% total return vs OCFC's +18.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CNOB at 31.3% vs OCFC's 16.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CNOBConnectOne Bancor… | OCFCOceanFirst Financ… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +16.2% | +9.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +33.1% | +18.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +126.2% | +56.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +19.0% | +2.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +111.5% | +45.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +31.3% | +16.2% |
CNOB leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CNOB and OCFC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
OCFC is the less volatile stock with a 1.05 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CNOB's 1.10 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CNOB currently trades 98.4% from its 52-week high vs OCFC's 92.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | CNOBConnectOne Bancor… | OCFCOceanFirst Financ… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.10x | 1.05x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $30.65 | $20.61 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $21.79 | $16.09 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.4% | +92.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 66.1 | 53.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 352K | 661K |
Evenly matched — CNOB and OCFC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
OCFC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CNOB as "Buy" and OCFC as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 12.7% upside for CNOB (target: $34) vs 3.3% for OCFC (target: $20). For income investors, OCFC offers the higher dividend yield at 4.41% vs CNOB's 2.10%.
| Metric | CNOBConnectOne Bancor… | OCFCOceanFirst Financ… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $34.00 | $19.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 8 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.1% | +4.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.63 | $0.84 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +7.5% |
OCFC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
CNOB leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). OCFC leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
Best OverallConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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CNOB vs OCFC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CNOB or OCFC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) is the stronger pick with 13. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 7% for OceanFirst Financial Corp. (OCFC). OceanFirst Financial Corp. (OCFC) offers the better valuation at 16. 3x trailing P/E (10. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB) a "Buy" — based on 11 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — CNOB or OCFC?
On trailing P/E, OceanFirst Financial Corp.
(OCFC) is the cheapest at 16. 3x versus ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. at 20. 4x. On forward P/E, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CNOB or OCFC?
Over the past 5 years, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) delivered a total return of +19. 0%, compared to +2. 3% for OceanFirst Financial Corp. (OCFC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CNOB returned +111. 5% versus OCFC's +45. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CNOB or OCFC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), OceanFirst Financial Corp.
(OCFC) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 05β versus ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. 's 1. 10β — meaning CNOB is approximately 5% more volatile than OCFC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 74% versus 98% for OceanFirst Financial Corp. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CNOB or OCFC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) is pulling ahead at 13. 4% versus -4. 7% for OceanFirst Financial Corp. (OCFC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. grew EPS -15. 9% year-over-year, compared to -29. 1% for OceanFirst Financial Corp.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — CNOB or OCFC?
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) is the more profitable company, earning 13. 3% net margin versus 10. 8% for OceanFirst Financial Corp. — meaning it keeps 13. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CNOB leads at 18. 6% versus 14. 1% for OCFC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — OCFC leads at 54. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is CNOB or OCFC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) trades at 9. 3x forward P/E versus 10. 0x for OceanFirst Financial Corp. — 0. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CNOB: 12. 7% to $34. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — CNOB or OCFC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
OceanFirst Financial Corp. (OCFC) offers the highest yield at 4. 4%, versus 2. 1% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB).
09Is CNOB or OCFC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 10), 2. 1% yield, +111. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CNOB: +111. 5%, OCFC: +45. 4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between CNOB and OCFC?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CNOB is a small-cap quality compounder stock; OCFC is a small-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(CNOB: 13.4% · OCFC: -4.7%)Net Margin>
%
(CNOB: 13.3% · OCFC: 10.8%)P/E Ratio<
x
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