ALRS
Alerus Financial Corporation
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$774M
5Y Perf.+53.3%
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Side-by-side financial analysisALRS
FFIN
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Stock Comparison
ALRS vs FFIN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
FFIN
First Financial Bankshares, Inc.
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$4.83B
5Y Perf.+16.5%
ALRS vs FFIN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot |  ALRS |  FFIN |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
| Market Cap | $774M | $4.83B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $330M | $826M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $27M | $254M |
| Gross Margin | 70.6% | 71.8% |
| Operating Margin | 10.7% | 37.5% |
| Forward P/E | 10.3x | 16.5x |
| Total Debt | $441M | $22M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $67M | $1.08B |
ALRS vs FFIN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ALRS
FFIN
| Stock | Jun 20 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alerus Financial Co… (ALRS) | 100 | 153.3 | +53.3% |
| First Financial Ban… (FFIN) | 100 | 116.5 | +16.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ALRS vs FFIN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: FFIN leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Alerus Financial Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
🥇FFIN emerged as the overall leader. Track its performance:
ALRS
Alerus Financial Corporation
The Banking Pick
ALRS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and bank quality.
- Dividend streak 33 yrs, beta 0.79, yield 2.7%
- NIM 3.3% vs FFIN's 3.3%
- Lower P/E (10.3x vs 16.5x)
Best for: income & stability and bank quality
FFIN
First Financial Bankshares, Inc.
The Banking Pick
FFIN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 11.7%, EPS growth 13.5%
- 136.4% 10Y total return vs ALRS's 106.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.78, Low D/E 1.1%, current ratio 0.68x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth |  FFIN | 11.7% NII/revenue growth vs ALRS's -3.1% |
| Value |  ALRS | Lower P/E (10.3x vs 16.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | FFIN | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs ALRS's 0.6% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | FFIN | Beta 0.78 vs ALRS's 0.79, lower leverage |
| Dividends | ALRS | 2.7% yield, 33-year raise streak, vs FFIN's 2.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | ALRS | +44.4% vs FFIN's -5.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | FFIN | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs ALRS's 0.6% |
ALRS vs FFIN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2018
ALRS vs FFIN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLALRSLAGGINGFFIN
FFINFirst Financial Banks…
2leads
ALRSAlerus Financial Corp…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs FFINMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
FFIN4/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ALRS4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
FFIN9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ALRS5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
ALRS2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FFIN leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FFIN is the larger business by revenue, generating $826M annually — 2.5x ALRS's $330M. FFIN is the more profitable business, keeping 30.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ALRS's 8.2%.
| Metric | ALRSAlerus Financial … | FFINFirst Financial B… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $330M | $826M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $49M | $320M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $27M | $254M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $95M | $283M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +70.6% | +71.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +10.7% | +37.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +8.2% | +30.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +28.9% | +34.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +73.1% | -7.7% |
FFIN leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ALRS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 19.0x trailing earnings, FFIN trades at a 57% valuation discount to ALRS's 44.6x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, FFIN's 11.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ALRS's 28.8x.
| Metric | ALRSAlerus Financial … | FFINFirst Financial B… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $774M | $4.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.1B | $3.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 44.56x | 19.01x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 10.33x | 16.54x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 4.22x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 28.78x | 11.79x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.36x | 5.85x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.38x | 2.52x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 13.16x | 15.72x |
ALRS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FFIN leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FFIN delivers a 14.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $5 for ALRS. FFIN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ALRS's 0.78x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), FFIN scores 8/9 vs ALRS's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ALRSAlerus Financial … | FFINFirst Financial B… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +4.9% | +14.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.5% | +1.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.9% | +12.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +0.8% | +16.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.78x | 0.01x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $373M | -$1.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $67M | $1.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $441M | $22M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.35x | 1.54x |
FFIN leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ALRS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ALRS five years ago would be worth $10,474 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $7,409 for FFIN. Over the past 12 months, ALRS leads with a +44.4% total return vs FFIN's -5.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ALRS at 21.6% vs FFIN's 7.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ALRSAlerus Financial … | FFINFirst Financial B… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +35.9% | +13.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +44.4% | -5.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +79.7% | +24.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +4.7% | -25.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +106.8% | +136.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +21.6% | +7.5% |
ALRS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ALRS and FFIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FFIN is the less volatile stock with a 0.78 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ALRS's 0.79 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ALRS currently trades 99.8% from its 52-week high vs FFIN's 86.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ALRSAlerus Financial … | FFINFirst Financial B… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.79x | 0.78x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $30.35 | $38.74 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $20.26 | $28.11 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.8% | +86.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 71.4 | 61.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 154K | 683K |
Evenly matched — ALRS and FFIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
ALRS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ALRS as "Hold" and FFIN as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 16.6% upside for FFIN (target: $39) vs -5.1% for ALRS (target: $29). For income investors, ALRS offers the higher dividend yield at 2.67% vs FFIN's 2.20%.
| Metric | ALRSAlerus Financial … | FFINFirst Financial B… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $28.75 | $39.25 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 15 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.7% | +2.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 33 | 15 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.81 | $0.74 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | 0.0% |
ALRS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
ALRS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). FFIN leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
Best OverallAlerus Financial Corporation (ALRS)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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ALRS vs FFIN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ALRS or FFIN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, First Financial Bankshares, Inc.
(FFIN) is the stronger pick with 11. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 1% for Alerus Financial Corporation (ALRS). First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN) offers the better valuation at 19. 0x trailing P/E (16. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Alerus Financial Corporation (ALRS) a "Hold" — based on 5 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 — ALRS or FFIN?
On trailing P/E, First Financial Bankshares, Inc.
(FFIN) is the cheapest at 19. 0x versus Alerus Financial Corporation at 44. 6x. On forward P/E, Alerus Financial Corporation is actually cheaper at 10. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ALRS or FFIN?
Over the past 5 years, Alerus Financial Corporation (ALRS) delivered a total return of +4.
7%, compared to -25. 9% for First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FFIN returned +136. 4% versus ALRS's +106. 8%. 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 — ALRS or FFIN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), First Financial Bankshares, Inc.
(FFIN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 78β versus Alerus Financial Corporation's 0. 79β — meaning ALRS is approximately 1% more volatile than FFIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 78% for Alerus Financial Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ALRS or FFIN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), First Financial Bankshares, Inc.
(FFIN) is pulling ahead at 11. 7% versus -3. 1% for Alerus Financial Corporation (ALRS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: First Financial Bankshares, Inc. grew EPS 13. 5% year-over-year, compared to -18. 1% for Alerus Financial 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.
06Which has better profit margins — ALRS or FFIN?
First Financial Bankshares, Inc.
(FFIN) is the more profitable company, earning 30. 7% net margin versus 5. 3% for Alerus Financial Corporation — meaning it keeps 30. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FFIN leads at 37. 5% versus 6. 9% for ALRS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FFIN leads at 71. 8%, 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 ALRS or FFIN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Alerus Financial Corporation (ALRS) trades at 10.
3x forward P/E versus 16. 5x for First Financial Bankshares, Inc. — 6. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FFIN: 16. 6% to $39. 25.
08Which pays a better dividend — ALRS or FFIN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Alerus Financial Corporation (ALRS) offers the highest yield at 2. 7%, versus 2. 2% for First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN).
09Is ALRS or FFIN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, First Financial Bankshares, Inc.
(FFIN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 78), 2. 2% yield, +136. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FFIN: +136. 4%, ALRS: +106. 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.
10What are the main differences between ALRS and FFIN?
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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