LKFN vs SFNC vs FFIN vs CADE

For growth investors, Cadence Bank (CADE) is the stronger pick with 32.

4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -56. 7% for Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC). Cadence Bank (CADE) offers the better valuation at 15. 2x trailing P/E (12. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. 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.

On trailing P/E, Cadence Bank (CADE) is the cheapest at 15.

2x versus First Financial Bankshares, Inc. at 20. 8x. On forward P/E, Simmons First National Corporation is actually cheaper at 10. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: First Financial Bankshares, Inc. wins at 3. 05x versus Lakeland Financial Corporation's 3. 63x.

Over the past 5 years, Cadence Bank (CADE) delivered a total return of +52.

3%, compared to -28. 2% for First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FFIN returned +145. 4% versus SFNC's +25. 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), Lakeland Financial Corporation (LKFN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

79β versus Cadence Bank's 1. 41β — meaning CADE is approximately 79% more volatile than LKFN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Cadence Bank (CADE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 24% for Lakeland Financial Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Cadence Bank (CADE) is pulling ahead at 32.

4% versus -56. 7% for Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: First Financial Bankshares, Inc. grew EPS 12. 2% 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 Financial Bankshares, Inc.

(FFIN) is the more profitable company, earning 30. 2% net margin versus -63. 4% for Simmons First National Corporation — meaning it keeps 30. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FFIN leads at 36. 8% versus -84. 2% for SFNC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FFIN leads at 70. 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, First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 3. 05x versus Lakeland Financial Corporation's 3. 63x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) trades at 10. 3x forward P/E versus 15. 9x for First Financial Bankshares, Inc. — 5. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FFIN: 21. 2% to $39. 25.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) offers the highest yield at 4. 0%, versus 2. 2% for First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Lakeland Financial Corporation (LKFN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

79), 3. 2% yield, +142. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (LKFN: +142. 7%, CADE: +122. 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: LKFN is a small-cap deep-value stock; SFNC is a small-cap income-oriented stock; FFIN is a small-cap high-growth stock; CADE is a small-cap high-growth 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.