FMBH vs QCRH

For growth investors, First Mid Bancshares, Inc.

(FMBH) is the stronger pick with 4. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 5% for QCR Holdings, Inc. (QCRH). First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (FMBH) offers the better valuation at 11. 4x trailing P/E (10. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate QCR Holdings, Inc. (QCRH) a "Buy" — based on 8 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, First Mid Bancshares, Inc.

(FMBH) is the cheapest at 11. 4x versus QCR Holdings, Inc. at 12. 2x. On forward P/E, First Mid Bancshares, Inc. is actually cheaper at 10. 4x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: QCR Holdings, Inc. wins at 0. 77x versus First Mid Bancshares, Inc. 's 1. 44x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, QCR Holdings, Inc.

(QCRH) delivered a total return of +91. 7%, compared to +10. 2% for First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (FMBH). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: QCRH returned +257. 6% versus FMBH's +107. 3%. 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), First Mid Bancshares, Inc.

(FMBH) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 92β versus QCR Holdings, Inc. 's 0. 95β — meaning QCRH is approximately 4% more volatile than FMBH relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, QCR Holdings, Inc. (QCRH) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 56% versus 59% for First Mid Bancshares, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(FMBH) is pulling ahead at 4. 2% versus 1. 5% for QCR Holdings, Inc. (QCRH). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: First Mid Bancshares, Inc. grew EPS 16. 1% year-over-year, compared to 12. 1% for QCR Holdings, 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.

QCR Holdings, Inc.

(QCRH) is the more profitable company, earning 21. 3% net margin versus 19. 7% for First Mid Bancshares, Inc. — meaning it keeps 21. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FMBH leads at 25. 1% versus 22. 8% for QCRH. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FMBH leads at 72. 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.

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, QCR Holdings, Inc. (QCRH) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 77x versus First Mid Bancshares, Inc. 's 1. 44x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (FMBH) trades at 10. 4x forward P/E versus 11. 2x for QCR Holdings, Inc. — 0. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FMBH: 13. 6% to $49. 67.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (FMBH) offers the highest yield at 2. 2%, versus 0. 3% for QCR Holdings, Inc. (QCRH).

For long-horizon retirement investors, First Mid Bancshares, Inc.

(FMBH) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 92), 2. 2% yield, +107. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FMBH: +107. 3%, QCRH: +257. 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.

FMBH pays a dividend while QCRH 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.