Contrasting Benchmark Bankshares (BMBN) & Its Rivals

Volatility & Risk

Benchmark Bankshares has a beta of 0.17, meaning that its share price is 83% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Benchmark Bankshares’ rivals have a beta of 0.64, meaning that their average share price is 36% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

3.2% of Benchmark Bankshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 50.4% of shares of all “BANKS – SOUTHEAST” companies are held by institutional investors. 14.0% of Benchmark Bankshares shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 12.8% of shares of all “BANKS – SOUTHEAST” companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Benchmark Bankshares and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Net Income	Price/Earnings Ratio
Benchmark Bankshares	$73.53 million	$15.85 million	7.27
Benchmark Bankshares Competitors	$597.48 million	$154.64 million	14.08

Benchmark Bankshares’ rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Benchmark Bankshares. Benchmark Bankshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares Benchmark Bankshares and its rivals’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Benchmark Bankshares	23.75%	N/A	N/A
Benchmark Bankshares Competitors	16.48%	9.97%	1.05%

Dividends

Benchmark Bankshares pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Benchmark Bankshares pays out 20.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, “BANKS – SOUTHEAST” companies pay a dividend yield of 2.1% and pay out 24.4% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Benchmark Bankshares is clearly a better dividend stock than its rivals, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

Benchmark Bankshares rivals beat Benchmark Bankshares on 7 of the 11 factors compared.

Benchmark Bankshares Company Profile

Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. operates as the holding company for Benchmark Community Bank that provides various banking products and services in the United States. The company accepts various deposits, such as checking, saving, commercial services, and youth accounts. Its loan products include personal, mortgage, other real estate, business, auto, and student loans. The company also offers credit and debit cards; wealth management services comprising financial solutions, financial and retirement planning, and portfolio management, as well as estate, charitable giving, and trust services; and reorder checks, safe deposit boxes, wire transfers, bill pay, and internet and mobile banking services. The company was founded in 1971 and is based in Kenbridge, Virginia.