Middlefield Banc (MBCN) Competitors

Middlefield Banc (NASDAQ:MBCN) and Southside Bancshares (NYSE:SBSI) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, media sentiment, dividends, valuation and earnings.

Does the media prefer MBCN or SBSI?

In the previous week, Middlefield Banc had 3 more articles in the media than Southside Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Middlefield Banc and 2 mentions for Southside Bancshares. Southside Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 1.80 beat Middlefield Banc's score of 1.02 indicating that Southside Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Middlefield Banc	0 Very Positive mention(s)	2 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Southside Bancshares	0 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Very Positive

Which has higher earnings and valuation, MBCN or SBSI?

Southside Bancshares has higher revenue and earnings than Middlefield Banc. Southside Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Middlefield Banc, 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
Middlefield Banc	$108.47M	2.23	$15.52M	$2.25	13.32
Southside Bancshares	$258.81M	3.52	$88.49M	$2.91	10.35

Which has more volatility and risk, MBCN or SBSI?

Middlefield Banc has a beta of 0.41, meaning that its stock price is 59% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Southside Bancshares has a beta of 0.67, meaning that its stock price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Is MBCN or SBSI a better dividend stock?

Middlefield Banc pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Southside Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $1.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.8%. Middlefield Banc pays out 37.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Southside Bancshares pays out 49.5% 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. Middlefield Banc has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Southside Bancshares has raised its dividend for 30 consecutive years. Southside Bancshares is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Is MBCN or SBSI more profitable?

Southside Bancshares has a net margin of 19.49% compared to Middlefield Banc's net margin of 16.16%. Southside Bancshares' return on equity of 11.00% beat Middlefield Banc's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Middlefield Banc	16.16%	8.59%	0.97%
Southside Bancshares	19.49%	11.00%	1.06%

Do analysts prefer MBCN or SBSI?

Middlefield Banc presently has a consensus target price of $29.00, indicating a potential downside of 3.20%. Given Middlefield Banc's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Middlefield Banc is more favorable than Southside Bancshares.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Middlefield Banc	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	0 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.00
Southside Bancshares	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	0 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	0.00

Do institutionals & insiders have more ownership in MBCN or SBSI?

31.7% of Middlefield Banc shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 55.7% of Southside Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 4.1% of Middlefield Banc shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 6.0% of Southside Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Southside Bancshares beats Middlefield Banc on 13 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.