WSBF vs MGYR

For growth investors, Magyar Bancorp, Inc.

(MGYR) is the stronger pick with 12. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 1% for Waterstone Financial, Inc. (WSBF). Magyar Bancorp, Inc. (MGYR) offers the better valuation at 11. 3x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Waterstone Financial, Inc. (WSBF) a "Hold" — 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, Magyar Bancorp, Inc.

(MGYR) is the cheapest at 11. 3x versus Waterstone Financial, Inc. at 12. 5x.

Over the past 5 years, Magyar Bancorp, Inc.

(MGYR) delivered a total return of +73. 1%, compared to +14. 9% for Waterstone Financial, Inc. (WSBF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MGYR returned +125. 8% versus WSBF's +96. 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), Magyar Bancorp, Inc.

(MGYR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 28β versus Waterstone Financial, Inc. 's 0. 60β — meaning WSBF is approximately 113% more volatile than MGYR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Magyar Bancorp, Inc. (MGYR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 41% versus 118% for Waterstone Financial, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(MGYR) is pulling ahead at 12. 1% versus 1. 1% for Waterstone Financial, Inc. (WSBF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Waterstone Financial, Inc. grew EPS 46. 5% year-over-year, compared to 26. 8% for Magyar 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.

Magyar Bancorp, Inc.

(MGYR) is the more profitable company, earning 16. 7% net margin versus 13. 1% for Waterstone Financial, Inc. — meaning it keeps 16. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MGYR leads at 23. 6% versus 16. 6% for WSBF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WSBF leads at 71. 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.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Waterstone Financial, Inc. (WSBF) offers the highest yield at 3. 2%, versus 1. 7% for Magyar Bancorp, Inc. (MGYR).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Magyar Bancorp, Inc.

(MGYR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 28), 1. 7% yield, +125. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MGYR: +125. 8%, WSBF: +96. 3%), 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.