PGC vs NBTB vs CNOB vs FULT

For growth investors, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

(CNOB) is the stronger pick with 13. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 0% for Fulton Financial Corporation (FULT). Fulton Financial Corporation (FULT) offers the better valuation at 11. 2x trailing P/E (11. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (PGC) a "Buy" — based on 7 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, Fulton Financial Corporation (FULT) is the cheapest at 11.

2x 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. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Fulton Financial Corporation wins at 0. 82x versus NBT Bancorp Inc. 's 1. 64x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Fulton Financial Corporation (FULT) delivered a total return of +61.

1%, compared to +32. 8% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PGC returned +155. 7% versus NBTB's +108. 5%. 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), NBT Bancorp Inc.

(NBTB) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 76β versus ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. 's 1. 02β — meaning CNOB is approximately 34% more volatile than NBTB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NBT Bancorp Inc. (NBTB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 17% versus 74% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

(CNOB) is pulling ahead at 13. 4% versus 5. 0% for Fulton Financial Corporation (FULT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Fulton Financial Corporation grew EPS 32. 5% 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.

Fulton Financial Corporation (FULT) is the more profitable company, earning 20.

7% net margin versus 8. 5% for Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation — meaning it keeps 20. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FULT leads at 25. 7% versus 11. 9% for PGC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NBTB leads at 72. 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.

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, Fulton Financial Corporation (FULT) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 82x versus NBT Bancorp Inc. 's 1. 64x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB) trades at 10. 0x forward P/E versus 12. 5x for Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation — 2. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PGC: 5. 9% to $49. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Fulton Financial Corporation (FULT) offers the highest yield at 3. 3%, versus 0. 4% for Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (PGC).

For long-horizon retirement investors, NBT Bancorp Inc.

(NBTB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 76), 3. 0% yield, +108. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NBTB: +108. 5%, PGC: +155. 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: PGC is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NBTB is a small-cap deep-value stock; CNOB is a small-cap quality compounder stock; FULT is a small-cap deep-value stock. NBTB, CNOB, FULT pay a dividend while PGC 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.