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Lakeland Financial (LKFN) Competitors

Lakeland Financial logo
$59.09 -0.52 (-0.87%)
As of 04:00 PM Eastern

LKFN vs. BUSE, FFBC, FRME, GABC, and NWBI

Should you buy Lakeland Financial stock or one of its competitors? Lakeland Financial's main competitors and comparable companies include First Busey (BUSE), First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC), First Merchants (FRME), German American Bancorp (GABC), and Northwest Bancshares (NWBI). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "regional banks" industry.

How does Lakeland Financial compare to First Busey?

Lakeland Financial (NASDAQ:LKFN) and First Busey (NASDAQ:BUSE) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, media sentiment, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation and dividends.

Lakeland Financial has a net margin of 26.04% compared to First Busey's net margin of 21.00%. Lakeland Financial's return on equity of 14.67% beat First Busey's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Lakeland Financial26.04% 14.67% 1.58%
First Busey 21.00%10.48%1.40%

In the previous week, First Busey had 1 more articles in the media than Lakeland Financial. MarketBeat recorded 6 mentions for First Busey and 5 mentions for Lakeland Financial. Lakeland Financial's average media sentiment score of 1.40 beat First Busey's score of 0.93 indicating that Lakeland Financial is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Lakeland Financial
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
First Busey
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Lakeland Financial has a beta of 0.72, meaning that its share price is 28% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Busey has a beta of 0.72, meaning that its share price is 28% less volatile than the broader market.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Lakeland Financial$279.40M5.26$103.36M$4.3613.55
First Busey$1.04B2.38$135.26M$2.4212.44

Lakeland Financial currently has a consensus target price of $66.50, indicating a potential upside of 12.54%. First Busey has a consensus target price of $32.00, indicating a potential upside of 6.31%. Given Lakeland Financial's higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Lakeland Financial is more favorable than First Busey.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Lakeland Financial
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.25
First Busey
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57

81.2% of Lakeland Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 56.5% of First Busey shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.0% of Lakeland Financial shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.8% of First Busey shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Lakeland Financial pays an annual dividend of $2.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. First Busey pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. Lakeland Financial pays out 47.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Busey pays out 43.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Lakeland Financial has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years and First Busey has raised its dividend for 10 consecutive years. Lakeland Financial is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Lakeland Financial beats First Busey on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Lakeland Financial compare to First Financial Bancorp.?

First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) and Lakeland Financial (NASDAQ:LKFN) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations and media sentiment.

First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.92, meaning that its stock price is 8% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Lakeland Financial has a beta of 0.72, meaning that its stock price is 28% less volatile than the broader market.

77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.2% of Lakeland Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.0% of Lakeland Financial shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.72$255.60M$2.8311.53
Lakeland Financial$279.40M5.26$103.36M$4.3613.55

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 2 more articles in the media than Lakeland Financial. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 5 mentions for Lakeland Financial. Lakeland Financial's average media sentiment score of 1.40 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of 0.89 indicating that Lakeland Financial is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
First Financial Bancorp.
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Lakeland Financial
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Lakeland Financial pays an annual dividend of $2.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Lakeland Financial pays out 47.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Financial Bancorp. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Lakeland Financial has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years. Lakeland Financial is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

First Financial Bancorp. presently has a consensus target price of $33.67, suggesting a potential upside of 3.18%. Lakeland Financial has a consensus target price of $66.50, suggesting a potential upside of 12.54%. Given Lakeland Financial's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Lakeland Financial is more favorable than First Financial Bancorp..

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Lakeland Financial
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.25

Lakeland Financial has a net margin of 26.04% compared to First Financial Bancorp.'s net margin of 20.77%. Lakeland Financial's return on equity of 14.67% beat First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Financial Bancorp.20.77% 11.13% 1.49%
Lakeland Financial 26.04%14.67%1.58%

Summary

Lakeland Financial beats First Financial Bancorp. on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Lakeland Financial compare to First Merchants?

Lakeland Financial (NASDAQ:LKFN) and First Merchants (NASDAQ:FRME) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings and profitability.

Lakeland Financial presently has a consensus target price of $66.50, suggesting a potential upside of 12.54%. First Merchants has a consensus target price of $49.00, suggesting a potential upside of 18.16%. Given First Merchants' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe First Merchants is more favorable than Lakeland Financial.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Lakeland Financial
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.25
First Merchants
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

Lakeland Financial has a beta of 0.72, indicating that its share price is 28% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Merchants has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its share price is 16% less volatile than the broader market.

Lakeland Financial has a net margin of 26.04% compared to First Merchants' net margin of 17.05%. Lakeland Financial's return on equity of 14.67% beat First Merchants' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Lakeland Financial26.04% 14.67% 1.58%
First Merchants 17.05%8.86%1.12%

81.2% of Lakeland Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.9% of First Merchants shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.0% of Lakeland Financial shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of First Merchants shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Lakeland Financial pays an annual dividend of $2.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. Lakeland Financial pays out 47.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Merchants pays out 47.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Lakeland Financial has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years and First Merchants has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years. First Merchants is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Lakeland Financial$279.40M5.26$103.36M$4.3613.55
First Merchants$691.54M3.77$226M$3.1213.29

In the previous week, First Merchants had 8 more articles in the media than Lakeland Financial. MarketBeat recorded 13 mentions for First Merchants and 5 mentions for Lakeland Financial. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 1.61 beat Lakeland Financial's score of 1.40 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Lakeland Financial
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
First Merchants
11 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive

Summary

First Merchants beats Lakeland Financial on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Lakeland Financial compare to German American Bancorp?

German American Bancorp (NASDAQ:GABC) and Lakeland Financial (NASDAQ:LKFN) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and media sentiment.

46.9% of German American Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.2% of Lakeland Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.2% of German American Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.0% of Lakeland Financial shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

German American Bancorp has a net margin of 28.25% compared to Lakeland Financial's net margin of 26.04%. Lakeland Financial's return on equity of 14.67% beat German American Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
German American Bancorp28.25% 12.14% 1.69%
Lakeland Financial 26.04%14.67%1.58%

German American Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Lakeland Financial pays an annual dividend of $2.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. German American Bancorp pays out 32.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Lakeland Financial pays out 47.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. German American Bancorp has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and Lakeland Financial has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years. Lakeland Financial is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

German American Bancorp presently has a consensus price target of $53.33, indicating a potential upside of 8.14%. Lakeland Financial has a consensus price target of $66.50, indicating a potential upside of 12.54%. Given Lakeland Financial's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Lakeland Financial is more favorable than German American Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
German American Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80
Lakeland Financial
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.25

In the previous week, German American Bancorp had 2 more articles in the media than Lakeland Financial. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for German American Bancorp and 5 mentions for Lakeland Financial. German American Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.61 beat Lakeland Financial's score of 1.40 indicating that German American Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
German American Bancorp
6 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
Lakeland Financial
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

German American Bancorp has a beta of 0.58, meaning that its share price is 42% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Lakeland Financial has a beta of 0.72, meaning that its share price is 28% less volatile than the broader market.

German American Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than Lakeland Financial. German American Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Lakeland Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
German American Bancorp$487.40M3.80$112.64M$3.7913.01
Lakeland Financial$279.40M5.26$103.36M$4.3613.55

Summary

German American Bancorp beats Lakeland Financial on 11 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Lakeland Financial compare to Northwest Bancshares?

Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ:NWBI) and Lakeland Financial (NASDAQ:LKFN) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, dividends, media sentiment, earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability and risk.

In the previous week, Lakeland Financial had 2 more articles in the media than Northwest Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Lakeland Financial and 3 mentions for Northwest Bancshares. Lakeland Financial's average media sentiment score of 1.40 beat Northwest Bancshares' score of 0.63 indicating that Lakeland Financial is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Northwest Bancshares
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Lakeland Financial
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Northwest Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.2%. Lakeland Financial pays an annual dividend of $2.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. Northwest Bancshares pays out 77.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Lakeland Financial pays out 47.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Lakeland Financial has increased its dividend for 14 consecutive years.

66.3% of Northwest Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.2% of Lakeland Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of Northwest Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.0% of Lakeland Financial shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Northwest Bancshares$878.94M2.55$126.01M$1.0314.84
Lakeland Financial$279.40M5.26$103.36M$4.3613.55

Northwest Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, suggesting that its stock price is 32% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Lakeland Financial has a beta of 0.72, suggesting that its stock price is 28% less volatile than the broader market.

Lakeland Financial has a net margin of 26.04% compared to Northwest Bancshares' net margin of 16.26%. Lakeland Financial's return on equity of 14.67% beat Northwest Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Northwest Bancshares16.26% 10.25% 1.15%
Lakeland Financial 26.04%14.67%1.58%

Northwest Bancshares presently has a consensus target price of $15.80, suggesting a potential upside of 3.34%. Lakeland Financial has a consensus target price of $66.50, suggesting a potential upside of 12.54%. Given Lakeland Financial's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Lakeland Financial is more favorable than Northwest Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Northwest Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
Lakeland Financial
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.25

Summary

Lakeland Financial beats Northwest Bancshares on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding LKFN and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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LKFN vs. The Competition

MetricLakeland FinancialBanks IndustryFinance SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$1.47B$23.56B$13.99B$12.83B
Dividend Yield3.51%3.17%5.88%11.27%
P/E Ratio13.5527.3426.6825.51
Price / Sales5.269.52512.39122.84
Price / Cash13.4316.0630.4036.03
Price / Book1.981.372.786.33
Net Income$103.36M$2.58B$1.31B$349.45M
7 Day Performance-1.88%-0.24%0.09%-0.09%
1 Month Performance-5.68%0.44%2.35%4.37%
1 Year Performance-13.67%22.75%10.58%14.79%

Lakeland Financial Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
LKFN
Lakeland Financial
3.261 of 5 stars
$59.09
-0.9%
$66.50
+12.5%
-12.9%$1.47B$279.40M13.55650
BUSE
First Busey
3.8702 of 5 stars
$29.99
-1.0%
$32.00
+6.7%
+22.6%$2.48B$1.04B12.391,948
FFBC
First Financial Bancorp.
2.9916 of 5 stars
$32.66
-0.9%
$33.67
+3.1%
+23.9%$3.43B$1.26B11.542,199
FRME
First Merchants
4.8486 of 5 stars
$41.56
-0.9%
$49.00
+17.9%
+1.0%$2.61B$691.54M13.322,086
GABC
German American Bancorp
4.29 of 5 stars
$49.63
-0.9%
$53.33
+7.5%
+19.5%$1.87B$487.40M13.101,020

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This page (NASDAQ:LKFN) was last updated on 8/31/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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