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EBC vs CNOB
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Banks - Regional
EBC vs CNOB — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
| Market Cap | $4.49B | $1.50B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.06B | $606M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $88M | $80M |
| Gross Margin | 66.2% | 44.2% |
| Operating Margin | 9.9% | 18.6% |
| Forward P/E | 10.7x | 9.3x |
| Total Debt | $215M | $1.17B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $126M | $92M |
EBC vs CNOB — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Oct 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Bankshares,… (EBC) | 100 | 167.0 | +67.0% |
| ConnectOne Bancorp,… (CNOB) | 100 | 193.8 | +93.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: EBC vs CNOB
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
EBC is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and bank quality.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 1.10, yield 2.4%
- NIM 2.7% vs CNOB's 2.5%
- 2.4% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs CNOB's 2.1%
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%
- 109.0% 10Y total return vs EBC's 82.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.10, Low D/E 74.4%, current ratio 391.51x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 13.4% NII/revenue growth vs EBC's -1.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (9.3x vs 10.7x) | |
| Quality / Margins | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs EBC's 0.6% (lower = leaner) | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.10 vs EBC's 1.10 | |
| Dividends | 2.4% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs CNOB's 2.1% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +36.2% vs CNOB's +30.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs EBC's 0.6% |
EBC vs CNOB — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
EBC vs CNOB — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EBC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EBC is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.1B annually — 1.7x CNOB's $606M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 13.3% (CNOB) to 8.4% (EBC).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.1B | $606M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $157M | $122M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $88M | $80M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $413M | $102M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +66.2% | +44.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +9.9% | +18.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +8.4% | +13.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +39.1% | +16.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +53.3% | +53.1% |
Valuation Metrics
CNOB leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 20.2x trailing earnings, CNOB trades at a 60% valuation discount to EBC's 49.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CNOB's 22.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than EBC's 29.1x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $4.5B | $1.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.6B | $2.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 49.90x | 20.21x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 10.65x | 9.26x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.98x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 29.14x | 22.90x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.25x | 2.48x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.00x | 0.96x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 10.87x | 14.89x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CNOB leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CNOB delivers a 5.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $5 in annual profit, vs $2 for EBC. EBC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.05x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CNOB's 0.74x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.3% | +5.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.3% | +0.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.9% | +3.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.0% | +1.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.05x | 0.74x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $89M | $1.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $126M | $92M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $215M | $1.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.31x | 0.39x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CNOB leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CNOB five years ago would be worth $11,794 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,964 for EBC. Over the past 12 months, EBC leads with a +36.2% total return vs CNOB's +30.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CNOB at 30.9% vs EBC's 25.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +8.4% | +15.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +36.2% | +30.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +97.4% | +124.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -0.4% | +17.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +82.4% | +109.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +25.4% | +30.9% |
Risk & Volatility
CNOB leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CNOB is the less volatile stock with a 1.10 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than EBC's 1.10 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CNOB currently trades 97.6% from its 52-week high vs EBC's 88.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.10x | 1.10x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $22.57 | $30.65 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $14.10 | $21.79 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +88.4% | +97.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 51.7 | 66.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.0M | 354K |
Analyst Outlook
EBC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates EBC as "Buy" and CNOB as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 14.4% upside for EBC (target: $23) vs 13.7% for CNOB (target: $34). For income investors, EBC offers the higher dividend yield at 2.45% vs CNOB's 2.12%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $22.83 | $34.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 7 | 11 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.4% | +2.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.49 | $0.63 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.4% | +0.1% |
CNOB leads in 4 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). EBC leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Analyst Outlook).
EBC vs CNOB: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is EBC or CNOB 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 -1. 4% for Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC). ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB) offers the better valuation at 20. 2x trailing P/E (9. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC) a "Buy" — based on 7 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 — EBC or CNOB?
On trailing P/E, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) is the cheapest at 20. 2x versus Eastern Bankshares, Inc. at 49. 9x. On forward P/E, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — EBC or CNOB?
Over the past 5 years, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) delivered a total return of +17. 9%, compared to -0. 4% for Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CNOB returned +109. 0% versus EBC's +82. 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 — EBC or CNOB?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 10β versus Eastern Bankshares, Inc. 's 1. 10β — meaning EBC is approximately 0% more volatile than CNOB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 74% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — EBC or CNOB?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) is pulling ahead at 13. 4% versus -1. 4% for Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. grew EPS -15. 9% year-over-year, compared to -39. 4% for Eastern Bankshares, Inc.. 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 — EBC or CNOB?
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) is the more profitable company, earning 13. 3% net margin versus 8. 4% for Eastern Bankshares, Inc. — 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 9. 9% for EBC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EBC leads at 66. 2%, 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 EBC or CNOB more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
(CNOB) trades at 9. 3x forward P/E versus 10. 7x for Eastern Bankshares, Inc. — 1. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EBC: 14. 4% to $22. 83.
08Which pays a better dividend — EBC or CNOB?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC) offers the highest yield at 2. 4%, versus 2. 1% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB).
09Is EBC or CNOB 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, +109. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CNOB: +109. 0%, EBC: +82. 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 EBC and CNOB?
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.
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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