HWBK vs MOFG

For growth investors, Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.

(HWBK) is the stronger pick with 2. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -23. 1% for MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. (MOFG). Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (HWBK) offers the better valuation at 11. 0x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. (MOFG) 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.

Over the past 5 years, Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.

(HWBK) delivered a total return of +95. 3%, compared to +79. 8% for MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. (MOFG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HWBK returned +301. 1% versus MOFG's +96. 2%. 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), Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.

(HWBK) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 35β versus MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. 's 1. 34β — meaning MOFG is approximately 283% more volatile than HWBK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. (MOFG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 89% for Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(HWBK) is pulling ahead at 2. 2% versus -23. 1% for MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. (MOFG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. grew EPS 31. 4% year-over-year, compared to -366. 2% for MidWestOne Financial Group, 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.

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.

(HWBK) is the more profitable company, earning 21. 2% net margin versus -29. 3% for MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 21. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HWBK leads at 26. 0% versus -40. 8% for MOFG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HWBK leads at 71. 3%, 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.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (HWBK) offers the highest yield at 2. 1%, versus 2. 0% for MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. (MOFG).

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

(HWBK) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 35), 2. 1% yield, +301. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HWBK: +301. 1%, MOFG: +96. 2%), 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: HWBK is a small-cap deep-value stock; MOFG is a small-cap quality compounder stock. 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.