FBK vs UBSI

For growth investors, FB Financial Corporation (FBK) is the stronger pick with 14.

5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 12. 3% for United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI). United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI) offers the better valuation at 13. 3x trailing P/E (12. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate FB Financial Corporation (FBK) a "Buy" — based on 14 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, United Bankshares, Inc.

(UBSI) is the cheapest at 13. 3x versus FB Financial Corporation at 22. 0x. On forward P/E, FB Financial Corporation is actually cheaper at 11. 2x — 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: FB Financial Corporation wins at 1. 50x versus United Bankshares, Inc. 's 1. 88x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, FB Financial Corporation (FBK) delivered a total return of +32.

9%, compared to +21. 6% for United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FBK returned +174. 7% versus UBSI's +44. 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), United Bankshares, Inc.

(UBSI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 87β versus FB Financial Corporation's 0. 93β — meaning FBK is approximately 7% more volatile than UBSI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 17% versus 17% for FB Financial Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), FB Financial Corporation (FBK) is pulling ahead at 14.

5% versus 12. 3% for United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: United Bankshares, Inc. grew EPS 18. 9% year-over-year, compared to -3. 2% for FB 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.

United Bankshares, Inc.

(UBSI) is the more profitable company, earning 25. 5% net margin versus 14. 0% for FB Financial Corporation — meaning it keeps 25. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: UBSI leads at 32. 4% versus 15. 8% for FBK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — UBSI leads at 65. 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.

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, FB Financial Corporation (FBK) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 50x versus United Bankshares, Inc. 's 1. 88x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, FB Financial Corporation (FBK) trades at 11. 2x forward P/E versus 12. 0x for United Bankshares, Inc. — 0. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FBK: 23. 4% to $65. 00.

In this comparison, UBSI (3.

4% yield) pays a dividend. FBK does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, United Bankshares, Inc.

(UBSI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 87), 3. 4% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (UBSI: +44. 5%, FBK: +174. 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: FBK is a small-cap quality compounder stock; UBSI is a small-cap deep-value stock. UBSI pays a dividend while FBK 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.