NBN vs CNOB

For growth investors, Northeast Bank (NBN) is the stronger pick with 34.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 13. 4% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB). Northeast Bank (NBN) offers the better valuation at 12. 9x trailing P/E (10. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Northeast Bank (NBN) 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, Northeast Bank (NBN) is the cheapest at 12.

9x versus ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. at 22. 1x. On forward P/E, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. is actually cheaper at 10. 0x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Northeast Bank (NBN) delivered a total return of +340.

6%, compared to +32. 8% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NBN returned +1136% versus CNOB's +139. 7%. 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), ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

(CNOB) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 02β versus Northeast Bank's 1. 03β — meaning NBN is approximately 1% more volatile than CNOB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Northeast Bank (NBN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 69% versus 74% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Northeast Bank (NBN) is pulling ahead at 34.

7% versus 13. 4% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Northeast Bank grew EPS 33. 0% year-over-year, compared to -15. 9% for ConnectOne Bancorp, 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.

Northeast Bank (NBN) is the more profitable company, earning 23.

8% net margin versus 13. 3% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. — meaning it keeps 23. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NBN leads at 35. 8% versus 18. 6% for CNOB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NBN leads at 58. 1%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

(CNOB) trades at 10. 0x forward P/E versus 10. 7x for Northeast Bank — 0. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NBN: 11. 6% to $145. 00.

In this comparison, CNOB (1.

9% yield) pays a dividend. NBN does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Northeast Bank (NBN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

03), +1136% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NBN: +1136%, CNOB: +139. 7%), 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: NBN is a small-cap high-growth stock; CNOB is a small-cap quality compounder stock. CNOB pays a dividend while NBN 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.