ACNB vs FXNC

For growth investors, ACNB Corporation (ACNB) is the stronger pick with 28.

9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 27. 1% for First National Corporation (FXNC). First National Corporation (FXNC) offers the better valuation at 13. 9x trailing P/E (11. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate ACNB Corporation (ACNB) a "Buy" — based on 2 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, First National Corporation (FXNC) is the cheapest at 13.

9x versus ACNB Corporation at 14. 7x. On forward P/E, ACNB Corporation is actually cheaper at 9. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: ACNB Corporation wins at 0. 90x versus First National Corporation's 7. 67x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, ACNB Corporation (ACNB) delivered a total return of +104.

1%, compared to +64. 9% for First National Corporation (FXNC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FXNC returned +237. 2% versus ACNB's +190. 8%. 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), ACNB Corporation (ACNB) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

68β versus First National Corporation's 0. 70β — meaning FXNC is approximately 3% more volatile than ACNB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, First National Corporation (FXNC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 23% versus 78% for ACNB Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), ACNB Corporation (ACNB) is pulling ahead at 28.

9% versus 27. 1% for First National Corporation (FXNC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: First National Corporation grew EPS 96. 0% year-over-year, compared to -3. 5% for ACNB Corporation. 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.

ACNB Corporation (ACNB) is the more profitable company, earning 21.

7% net margin versus 15. 8% for First National Corporation — meaning it keeps 21. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ACNB leads at 27. 3% versus 19. 6% for FXNC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FXNC leads at 74. 0%, 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, ACNB Corporation (ACNB) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 90x versus First National Corporation's 7. 67x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, ACNB Corporation (ACNB) trades at 9. 9x forward P/E versus 11. 5x for First National Corporation — 1. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ACNB: 9. 6% to $58. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

ACNB Corporation (ACNB) offers the highest yield at 2. 6%, versus 2. 2% for First National Corporation (FXNC).

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

70), 2. 2% yield, +237. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FXNC: +237. 2%, ACNB: +190. 8%), 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.