HBNC vs MOFG

For growth investors, MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc.

(MOFG) is the stronger pick with -23. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -71. 0% for Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (HBNC). Analysts rate Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (HBNC) a "Buy" — based on 9 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.

Over the past 5 years, MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc.

(MOFG) delivered a total return of +79. 8%, compared to +27. 7% for Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (HBNC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HBNC returned +128. 4% versus MOFG's +96. 2%. 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), Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

(HBNC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 97β versus MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. 's 1. 34β — meaning MOFG is approximately 38% more volatile than HBNC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. (MOFG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 59% for Horizon Bancorp, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc.

(MOFG) is pulling ahead at -23. 1% versus -71. 0% for Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (HBNC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. grew EPS -366. 2% year-over-year, compared to -493. 8% for Horizon Bancorp, 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.

MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc.

(MOFG) is the more profitable company, earning -29. 3% net margin versus -145. 9% for Horizon Bancorp, Inc. — meaning it keeps -29. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MOFG leads at -40. 8% versus -193. 4% for HBNC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MOFG leads at 29. 4%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

(HBNC) trades at 9. 4x forward P/E versus 13. 8x for MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. — 4. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HBNC: 3. 8% to $20. 50.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (HBNC) offers the highest yield at 2. 1%, versus 2. 0% for MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. (MOFG).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

(HBNC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 97), 2. 1% yield, +128. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HBNC: +128. 4%, MOFG: +96. 2%), 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.

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.