SYBT vs SFNC

For growth investors, Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

(SYBT) is the stronger pick with 12. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -56. 7% for Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC). Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc. (SYBT) offers the better valuation at 15. 2x trailing P/E (14. 6x 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 forward P/E, Simmons First National Corporation is actually cheaper at 10.

3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

(SYBT) delivered a total return of +49. 6%, compared to -15. 4% for Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SYBT returned +211. 5% 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), Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

02β versus Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc. 's 1. 03β — meaning SYBT is approximately 1% more volatile than SFNC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 19% versus 45% for Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(SYBT) is pulling ahead at 12. 7% versus -56. 7% for Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc. grew EPS 22. 1% 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.

Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

(SYBT) is the more profitable company, earning 24. 8% net margin versus -63. 4% for Simmons First National Corporation — meaning it keeps 24. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SYBT leads at 31. 6% versus -84. 2% for SFNC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SYBT leads at 69. 2%, 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, Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) trades at 10.

3x forward P/E versus 14. 6x for Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc. — 4. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SFNC: 6. 1% to $22. 67.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) offers the highest yield at 4. 0%, versus 1. 7% for Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc. (SYBT).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

(SYBT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 03), 1. 7% yield, +211. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SYBT: +211. 5%, SFNC: +25. 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.

In terms of investment character: SYBT is a small-cap deep-value stock; SFNC is a small-cap income-oriented 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.