MidWestOne Financial Group (MOFG) Competitors

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

Which has more volatility and risk, BUSE or MOFG?

First Busey has a beta of 0.77, indicating that its share price is 23% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, MidWestOne Financial Group has a beta of 1, indicating that its share price has a similar volatility profile to the S&P 500.

Does the media refer more to BUSE or MOFG?

In the previous week, First Busey had 15 more articles in the media than MidWestOne Financial Group. MarketBeat recorded 15 mentions for First Busey and 0 mentions for MidWestOne Financial Group. First Busey's average media sentiment score of 0.34 beat MidWestOne Financial Group's score of 0.00 indicating that First Busey is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Overall Sentiment
First Busey	Neutral
MidWestOne Financial Group	Neutral

Is BUSE or MOFG more profitable?

First Busey has a net margin of 8.32% compared to MidWestOne Financial Group's net margin of 0.00%. MidWestOne Financial Group's return on equity of 8.49% beat First Busey's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
First Busey	8.32%	8.46%	0.96%
MidWestOne Financial Group	N/A	8.49%	0.74%

Do institutionals and insiders believe in BUSE or MOFG?

56.5% of First Busey shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 65.4% of MidWestOne Financial Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.9% of First Busey shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.5% of MidWestOne Financial Group 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.

Which has higher earnings and valuation, BUSE or MOFG?

First Busey has higher revenue and earnings than MidWestOne Financial Group. MidWestOne Financial Group 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	3.29	$113.69M	$1.07	22.77
MidWestOne Financial Group	$206.03M	3.10	-$60.29M	-$3.54	-8.67

Is BUSE or MOFG a better dividend stock?

First Busey pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.1%. MidWestOne Financial Group pays an annual dividend of $0.97 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. First Busey pays out 93.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. MidWestOne Financial Group pays out -27.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Busey has increased its dividend for 10 consecutive years. First Busey is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Do analysts rate BUSE or MOFG?

First Busey presently has a consensus target price of $27.67, suggesting a potential upside of 13.57%. MidWestOne Financial Group has a consensus target price of $34.83, suggesting a potential upside of 13.50%. Given First Busey's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe First Busey is more favorable than MidWestOne Financial Group.

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
MidWestOne Financial Group	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	1 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.33

Summary

First Busey beats MidWestOne Financial Group on 15 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.