HTB vs UVSP

For growth investors, Univest Financial Corporation (UVSP) is the stronger pick with 3.

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 9% for HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (HTB). Univest Financial Corporation (UVSP) offers the better valuation at 12. 2x trailing P/E (11. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (HTB) a "Buy" — based on 2 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, Univest Financial Corporation (UVSP) is the cheapest at 12.

2x versus HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. at 12. 3x. On forward P/E, Univest Financial Corporation is actually cheaper at 11. 1x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. wins at 0. 40x versus Univest Financial Corporation's 0. 76x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.

(HTB) delivered a total return of +75. 0%, compared to +46. 4% for Univest Financial Corporation (UVSP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HTB returned +166. 6% versus UVSP's +140. 1%. 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), HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.

(HTB) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 77β versus Univest Financial Corporation's 1. 01β — meaning UVSP is approximately 32% more volatile than HTB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (HTB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 29% versus 37% for Univest Financial Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Univest Financial Corporation (UVSP) is pulling ahead at 3.

6% versus -0. 9% for HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (HTB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Univest Financial Corporation grew EPS 22. 5% year-over-year, compared to 16. 3% for HomeTrust Bancshares, 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.

HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.

(HTB) is the more profitable company, earning 22. 0% net margin versus 17. 5% for Univest Financial Corporation — meaning it keeps 22. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HTB leads at 27. 7% versus 21. 9% for UVSP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HTB leads at 70. 5%, 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, HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (HTB) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 40x versus Univest Financial Corporation's 0. 76x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Univest Financial Corporation (UVSP) trades at 11. 1x forward P/E versus 12. 6x for HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. — 1. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Univest Financial Corporation (UVSP) offers the highest yield at 2. 3%, versus 1. 1% for HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (HTB).

For long-horizon retirement investors, HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.

(HTB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 77), 1. 1% yield, +166. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HTB: +166. 6%, UVSP: +140. 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.

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.

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.