CCBG vs CNOB vs NBTB vs TRMK

For growth investors, Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) is the stronger pick with 34.

8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 5% for Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (CCBG). Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) offers the better valuation at 12. 4x trailing P/E (11. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB) a "Buy" — based on 11 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, Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) is the cheapest at 12.

4x versus ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. at 22. 1x. On forward P/E, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. is actually cheaper at 10. 0x — 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: Capital City Bank Group, Inc. wins at 0. 94x versus NBT Bancorp Inc. 's 1. 64x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

(CCBG) delivered a total return of +95. 7%, compared to +32. 8% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CCBG returned +257. 8% versus NBTB's +108. 5%. 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), Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

(CCBG) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 56β versus ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. 's 1. 02β — meaning CNOB is approximately 81% more volatile than CCBG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (CCBG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 17% versus 74% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) is pulling ahead at 34.

8% versus 6. 5% for Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (CCBG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Capital City Bank Group, Inc. grew EPS 15. 4% year-over-year, compared to -15. 9% for ConnectOne 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.

Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

(CCBG) is the more profitable company, earning 22. 0% net margin versus 13. 3% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. — meaning it keeps 22. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CCBG leads at 30. 0% versus 18. 6% for CNOB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CCBG leads at 87. 1%, 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, Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (CCBG) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 94x versus NBT Bancorp Inc. 's 1. 64x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB) trades at 10. 0x forward P/E versus 13. 0x for Capital City Bank Group, Inc. — 3. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CCBG: 5. 1% to $49. 50.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

NBT Bancorp Inc. (NBTB) offers the highest yield at 3. 0%, versus 1. 9% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

(CCBG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 56), 2. 1% yield, +257. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CCBG: +257. 8%, CNOB: +139. 7%), 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.

In terms of investment character: CCBG is a small-cap deep-value stock; CNOB is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NBTB is a small-cap deep-value stock; TRMK is a small-cap high-growth stock. 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.