Bridgewater Bancshares (BWB) Competitors

First Busey (NASDAQ:BUSE) and Bridgewater Bancshares (NASDAQ:BWB) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, media sentiment, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability and earnings.

Does the media refer more to BUSE or BWB?

In the previous week, First Busey had 7 more articles in the media than Bridgewater Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 14 mentions for First Busey and 7 mentions for Bridgewater Bancshares. First Busey's average media sentiment score of 1.59 beat Bridgewater Bancshares' score of 0.36 indicating that First Busey is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
First Busey	13 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Very Positive
Bridgewater Bancshares	2 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

Do institutionals and insiders hold more shares of BUSE or BWB?

56.5% of First Busey shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 65.8% of Bridgewater Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 3.9% of First Busey shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 23.3% of Bridgewater Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Which has better earnings & valuation, BUSE or BWB?

First Busey has higher revenue and earnings than Bridgewater Bancshares. Bridgewater Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Busey, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
First Busey	$663.36M	3.23	$113.69M	$1.12	21.45
Bridgewater Bancshares	$253.27M	1.76	$32.83M	$1.22	13.32

Do analysts prefer BUSE or BWB?

First Busey presently has a consensus target price of $27.17, suggesting a potential upside of 13.10%. Bridgewater Bancshares has a consensus target price of $20.00, suggesting a potential upside of 23.11%. Given Bridgewater Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Bridgewater Bancshares is more favorable than First Busey.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
First Busey	0 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	3 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.50
Bridgewater Bancshares	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.00

Is BUSE or BWB more profitable?

Bridgewater Bancshares has a net margin of 14.03% compared to First Busey's net margin of 9.48%. Bridgewater Bancshares' return on equity of 9.73% beat First Busey's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
First Busey	9.48%	8.76%	1.04%
Bridgewater Bancshares	14.03%	9.73%	0.77%

Which has more volatility & risk, BUSE or BWB?

First Busey has a beta of 0.81, meaning that its stock price is 19% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Bridgewater Bancshares has a beta of 0.58, meaning that its stock price is 42% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

First Busey beats Bridgewater Bancshares on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.