Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL)vsInvestar Holding Corp (ISTR)
ACGL
Arch Capital Group Ltd.
$88.34
+0.58%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $32.03B
ISTR
Investar Holding Corp
$29.03
+1.40%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $400.43M
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Arch Capital Group Ltd. generates 18362% more annual revenue ($19.78B vs $107.12M). ISTR leads profitability with a 26.7% profit margin vs 24.6%. ACGL trades at a lower P/E of 7.0x. ACGL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 79/100 (B+).
ACGL
Strong Buy79
out of 100
Grade: B+
ISTR
Strong Buy68
out of 100
Grade: B-
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
Earnings expanding 94.6% YoY
Every $100 of equity generates 20 in profit
Keeps 25 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 44.1%
Revenue surging 57.6% year-over-year
Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Earnings expanding 22.2% YoY
Areas to Watch
Revenue declined 3.3%
Distress zone — elevated risk
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
ROE of 6.9% — below average capital efficiency
Distress zone — elevated risk
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : ACGL
The strongest argument for ACGL centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 24.6% and operating margin at 25.3%. PEG of 1.06 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : ISTR
The strongest argument for ISTR centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, Revenue Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 26.7% and operating margin at 44.1%. Revenue growth of 57.6% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : ACGL
The primary concerns for ACGL are Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score.
Bear Case : ISTR
The primary concerns for ISTR are Market Cap, Return on Equity, Altman Z-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
ACGL profiles as a declining stock while ISTR is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
ISTR carries more volatility with a beta of 0.47 — expect wider price swings.
ISTR is growing revenue faster at 57.6% — sustainability is the question.
ACGL generates stronger free cash flow (1.2B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
ACGL scores higher overall (79/100 vs 68/100), backed by strong 24.6% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Arch Capital Group Ltd.
FINANCIAL SERVICES · INSURANCE - DIVERSIFIED · USA
Arch Capital Group Ltd., offers insurance, reinsurance and mortgage products worldwide. The company is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda.
Investar Holding Corp
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA
Investar Holding Corporation is the banking holding company of Investar Bank offering a range of commercial banking products to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses in southern Louisiana. The company is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Compare with Other INSURANCE - DIVERSIFIED Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?