FSUN vs TCBK

For growth investors, FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) is the stronger pick with 5.

5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 8% for TriCo Bancshares (TCBK). FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) offers the better valuation at 10. 4x trailing P/E (10. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) a "Buy" — based on 3 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.

On trailing P/E, FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) is the cheapest at 10.

4x versus TriCo Bancshares at 13. 7x. On forward P/E, FirstSun Capital Bancorp is actually cheaper at 10. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: FirstSun Capital Bancorp wins at 0. 78x versus TriCo Bancshares's 1. 05x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) delivered a total return of +53.

6%, compared to +21. 6% for TriCo Bancshares (TCBK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TCBK returned +129. 4% versus FSUN's +53. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

91β versus TriCo Bancshares's 0. 93β — meaning TCBK is approximately 2% more volatile than FSUN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 6% for TriCo Bancshares — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) is pulling ahead at 5.

5% versus 1. 8% for TriCo Bancshares (TCBK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: FirstSun Capital Bancorp grew EPS 31. 2% year-over-year, compared to 6. 9% for TriCo Bancshares. 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.

TriCo Bancshares (TCBK) is the more profitable company, earning 22.

8% net margin versus 17. 2% for FirstSun Capital Bancorp — meaning it keeps 22. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TCBK leads at 31. 7% versus 22. 0% for FSUN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TCBK leads at 75. 9%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 78x versus TriCo Bancshares's 1. 05x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) trades at 10. 3x forward P/E versus 12. 0x for TriCo Bancshares — 1. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FSUN: 19. 4% to $44. 00.

In this comparison, TCBK (2.

7% yield) pays a dividend. FSUN does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, TriCo Bancshares (TCBK) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

93), 2. 7% yield, +129. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (TCBK: +129. 4%, FSUN: +53. 6%), 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.

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.

TCBK pays a dividend while FSUN does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.