FLG
Flagstar Financial, Inc.
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$5.94B
5Y Perf.-52.6%
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Stock Comparison
FLG vs COLB
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
COLB
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$7.04B
5Y Perf.+21.3%
FLG vs COLB — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | FLG | COLB |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
| Market Cap | $5.94B | $7.04B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $4.70B | $3.21B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-177M | $550M |
| Gross Margin | 37.6% | 67.7% |
| Operating Margin | -4.2% | 23.4% |
| Forward P/E | 31.7x | 9.7x |
| Total Debt | $12.18B | $4.01B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $553M | $511M |
FLG vs COLB — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
FLG
COLB
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstar Financial,… (FLG) | 100 | 47.4 | -52.6% |
| Columbia Banking Sy… (COLB) | 100 | 121.3 | +21.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: FLG vs COLB
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: COLB leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Flagstar Financial, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
FLG
Flagstar Financial, Inc.
The Banking Pick
FLG is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.01, yield 0.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.01, current ratio 0.54x
- Beta 1.01, yield 0.3%, current ratio 0.54x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
COLB
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
The Banking Pick
COLB carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 8.3%, EPS growth -9.8%
- 51.1% 10Y total return vs FLG's -32.1%
- NIM 3.0% vs FLG's 2.0%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | COLB | 8.3% NII/revenue growth vs FLG's -26.5% |
| Value | COLB | Lower P/E (9.7x vs 31.7x) |
| Quality / Margins | FLG | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs COLB's 0.4% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | FLG | Beta 1.01 vs COLB's 1.37 |
| Dividends | COLB | 3.8% yield, vs FLG's 0.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | COLB | +32.6% vs FLG's +18.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | FLG | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs COLB's 0.4% |
FLG vs COLB — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
FLG vs COLB — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCOLBLAGGINGFLG
FLGFlagstar Financial, I…
2leads
COLBColumbia Banking Syst…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs FLGMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
COLB4/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
FLG3/4
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
COLB9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
COLB5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
FLG2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
COLB1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
COLB leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FLG and COLB operate at a comparable scale, with $4.7B and $3.2B in trailing revenue. COLB is the more profitable business, keeping 17.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to FLG's -3.8%.
| Metric | FLGFlagstar Financia… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $4.7B | $3.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$85M | $895M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$177M | $550M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$237M | $724M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +37.6% | +67.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -4.2% | +23.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -3.8% | +17.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -12.8% | +22.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +108.5% | +5.9% |
COLB leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
FLG leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | FLGFlagstar Financia… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $5.9B | $7.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $17.6B | $10.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -28.02x | 12.85x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 31.68x | 9.65x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 11.76x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.27x | 2.19x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.73x | 1.12x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 9.97x |
FLG leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
COLB leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
COLB delivers a 8.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $8 in annual profit, vs $-2 for FLG. COLB carries lower financial leverage with a 0.51x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to FLG's 1.50x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), COLB scores 6/9 vs FLG's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | FLGFlagstar Financia… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.2% | +8.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -0.2% | +0.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.7% | +5.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.5% | +2.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.50x | 0.51x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $11.6B | $3.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $553M | $511M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $12.2B | $4.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.07x | 0.82x |
COLB leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
COLB leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in COLB five years ago would be worth $8,185 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,515 for FLG. Over the past 12 months, COLB leads with a +32.6% total return vs FLG's +18.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors COLB at 20.6% vs FLG's -19.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | FLGFlagstar Financia… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +13.9% | +6.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +18.8% | +32.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -48.0% | +75.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -44.8% | -18.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -32.1% | +51.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -19.6% | +20.6% |
COLB leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FLG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FLG is the less volatile stock with a 1.01 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than COLB's 1.37 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. FLG currently trades 95.9% from its 52-week high vs COLB's 90.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | FLGFlagstar Financia… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.01x | 1.37x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $14.90 | $32.70 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $10.38 | $21.91 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +95.9% | +90.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 61.2 | 60.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 4.7M | 2.7M |
FLG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
COLB leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates FLG as "Buy" and COLB as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 11.4% upside for COLB (target: $33) vs 9.0% for FLG (target: $16). For income investors, COLB offers the higher dividend yield at 3.82% vs FLG's 0.25%.
| Metric | FLGFlagstar Financia… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $15.58 | $32.92 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 19 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.3% | +3.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.04 | $1.13 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.5% |
COLB leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
COLB leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). FLG leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility).
Best OverallColumbia Banking System, In… (COLB)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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FLG vs COLB: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is FLG or COLB a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) is the stronger pick with 8. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -26. 5% for Flagstar Financial, Inc. (FLG). Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB) offers the better valuation at 12. 9x trailing P/E (9. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Flagstar Financial, Inc. (FLG) 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.
02Which has the better valuation — FLG or COLB?
On forward P/E, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 9. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — FLG or COLB?
Over the past 5 years, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) delivered a total return of -18. 1%, compared to -44. 8% for Flagstar Financial, Inc. (FLG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: COLB returned +51. 1% versus FLG's -32. 1%. 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 — FLG or COLB?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Flagstar Financial, Inc.
(FLG) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 01β versus Columbia Banking System, Inc. 's 1. 37β — meaning COLB is approximately 36% more volatile than FLG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 51% versus 150% for Flagstar Financial, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — FLG or COLB?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) is pulling ahead at 8. 3% versus -26. 5% for Flagstar Financial, Inc. (FLG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Flagstar Financial, Inc. grew EPS 85. 4% year-over-year, compared to -9. 8% for Columbia Banking System, 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.
06Which has better profit margins — FLG or COLB?
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) is the more profitable company, earning 17. 1% net margin versus -3. 8% for Flagstar Financial, Inc. — meaning it keeps 17. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: COLB leads at 23. 4% versus -4. 2% for FLG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — COLB leads at 67. 7%, 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 FLG or COLB more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) trades at 9. 7x forward P/E versus 31. 7x for Flagstar Financial, Inc. — 22. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for COLB: 11. 4% to $32. 92.
08Which pays a better dividend — FLG or COLB?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB) offers the highest yield at 3. 8%, versus 0. 3% for Flagstar Financial, Inc. (FLG).
09Is FLG or COLB better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (3. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (COLB: +51. 1%, FLG: -32. 1%), 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 FLG and COLB?
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: FLG is a small-cap quality compounder stock; COLB is a small-cap deep-value stock. COLB pays a dividend while FLG 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.
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