SMBK vs SRCE

For growth investors, SmartFinancial, Inc.

(SMBK) is the stronger pick with 10. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 2% for 1st Source Corporation (SRCE). 1st Source Corporation (SRCE) offers the better valuation at 12. 2x trailing P/E (11. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate SmartFinancial, Inc. (SMBK) a "Hold" — 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, 1st Source Corporation (SRCE) is the cheapest at 12.

2x versus SmartFinancial, Inc. at 15. 3x. On forward P/E, 1st Source Corporation is actually cheaper at 11. 6x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: 1st Source Corporation wins at 0. 76x versus SmartFinancial, Inc. 's 0. 96x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, SmartFinancial, Inc.

(SMBK) delivered a total return of +92. 6%, compared to +75. 0% for 1st Source Corporation (SRCE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SMBK returned +198. 2% versus SRCE's +176. 3%. 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), 1st Source Corporation (SRCE) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

59β versus SmartFinancial, Inc. 's 0. 77β — meaning SMBK is approximately 32% more volatile than SRCE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, SmartFinancial, Inc. (SMBK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 18% versus 26% for 1st Source Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), SmartFinancial, Inc.

(SMBK) is pulling ahead at 10. 9% versus 5. 2% for 1st Source Corporation (SRCE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: SmartFinancial, Inc. grew EPS 39. 3% year-over-year, compared to 20. 5% for 1st Source 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.

1st Source Corporation (SRCE) is the more profitable company, earning 26.

4% net margin versus 15. 9% for SmartFinancial, Inc. — meaning it keeps 26. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SRCE leads at 34. 2% versus 19. 4% for SMBK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SRCE leads at 70. 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.

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, 1st Source Corporation (SRCE) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 76x versus SmartFinancial, Inc. 's 0. 96x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, 1st Source Corporation (SRCE) trades at 11. 6x forward P/E versus 12. 5x for SmartFinancial, Inc. — 0. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SMBK: 7. 8% to $49. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

1st Source Corporation (SRCE) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 0. 7% for SmartFinancial, Inc. (SMBK).

For long-horizon retirement investors, 1st Source Corporation (SRCE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

59), 2. 0% yield, +176. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SRCE: +176. 3%, SMBK: +198. 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.

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.