FFWM vs SFNC

For growth investors, First Foundation Inc.

(FFWM) is the stronger pick with 22. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -56. 7% for Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC). Analysts rate Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) 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, Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) delivered a total return of -15.

4%, compared to -72. 5% for First Foundation Inc. (FFWM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SFNC returned +25. 2% versus FFWM's -34. 6%. 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), Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

02β versus First Foundation Inc. 's 1. 10β — meaning FFWM is approximately 8% more volatile than SFNC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 19% versus 176% for First Foundation Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), First Foundation Inc.

(FFWM) is pulling ahead at 22. 2% versus -56. 7% for Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: First Foundation Inc. grew EPS -33. 3% year-over-year, compared to -343. 8% for Simmons First National 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.

First Foundation Inc.

(FFWM) is the more profitable company, earning -26. 4% net margin versus -63. 4% for Simmons First National Corporation — meaning it keeps -26. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FFWM leads at -12. 2% versus -84. 2% for SFNC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FFWM leads at 29. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) trades at 10.

3x forward P/E versus 45. 4x for First Foundation Inc. — 35. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FFWM: 14. 4% to $6. 75.

In this comparison, SFNC (4.

0% yield) pays a dividend. FFWM does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

02), 4. 0% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SFNC: +25. 2%, FFWM: -34. 6%), 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: FFWM is a small-cap high-growth stock; SFNC is a small-cap income-oriented stock. SFNC pays a dividend while FFWM 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.