PGC vs NBTB vs CNOB vs FULT vs FIS

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 Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. at 52. 3x. On forward P/E, Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. is actually cheaper at 6. 2x — 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: Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. wins at 0. 26x 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 -67. 3% for Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PGC returned +155. 7% versus FIS's -25. 6%. 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), Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

(FIS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 61β versus ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. 's 1. 02β — meaning CNOB is approximately 68% more volatile than FIS 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 -47. 2% for Fidelity National Information Services, 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 3. 6% for Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. — 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, Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 26x 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, Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS) trades at 6. 2x forward P/E versus 12. 5x for Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation — 6. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FIS: 60. 4% to $62. 88.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS) offers the highest yield at 4. 2%, versus 0. 4% for Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (PGC).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

(FIS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 61), 4. 2% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FIS: -25. 6%, 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (PGC (Financial Services) and NBTB (Financial Services) and CNOB (Financial Services) and FULT (Financial Services) and FIS (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

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; FIS is a mid-cap income-oriented stock. NBTB, CNOB, FULT, FIS 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.