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Investar Holding Corp(ISTR)

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ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL
3-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$29.41
10/02/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Upturn Advisory & Investor View for ISTR

10/02/2026: ISTR (3-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Investar Holding Corp is a regional bank holding company centered on commercial and retail lending in the Southern US. Its primary strengths lie in its relationship-based business model and deep local market expertise, which allow it to compete effectively in its niche. The main investment opportunity centers on potential expansion in its core markets and improved operational efficiency via digital initiatives. Risks include geographic concentration, interest rate volatility, and competition from larger financial institutions. The stock may suit value-oriented investors who favor a community-bank model, though investors should closely monitor loan quality and the bank's ability to maintain healthy margins.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitGrowth is steady rather than explosive, tied closely to regional economic cycles.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock typically exhibits lower volatility and lacks the high-frequency trading volume required for momentum strategies.
Value investorStrong fitThe bank often trades at valuation multiples that may appeal to investors looking for fundamental banking value.
Dividend investorMixed fitDividend payments are present but modest, prioritizing capital preservation and growth over high yield.
Low-risk investorMixed fitWhile regional banks are generally stable, they are subject to macroeconomic risks and regional downturns.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumThe stock price is subject to fluctuations typical of small-cap regional financial institutions.
Valuation riskMediumInvestor sentiment toward regional banks can lead to valuation compression during interest rate uncertainty.
Competition risk (regional banking competition)HighThe company competes with much larger, well-capitalized institutions that possess greater economies of scale.
Business qualityMediumThe bank maintains a solid reputation, though it lacks the broad diversification of national banks.
Dividend incomeLowDividends are not the primary investment thesis for this equity.
Execution riskMediumSuccess depends on the management team's ability to manage loan quality in a varying economic environment.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

Smooth

The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 50.42%
Avg. Invested days 83
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 5.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/02/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
ISTR receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
ISTR has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid earnings growth (+13.1%) and solid cash generation (FCF margin 11.0%) are partially offset by slightly negative revenue growth (-1.9%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
ISTR's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (11.0% of revenue). Liquidity is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Earnings growth is ISTR's strongest growth driver at +13.1% FY2025 versus FY2024 (solid, 4 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (-1.9%, slightly negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 65.1% and approximately 91.0% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 9.20% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 9.12%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 3.96%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 3.75%
Geode Capital Management, LLC 2.41%
Fourthstone LLC 2.34%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
ISTR generates approximately $610 of gross profit, $181 of operating income, and $110 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Solid margins and moderate cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is soft.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 17.87%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
ISTR has a liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLow VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 398.98M USD
Price to earnings Ratio 11.92
1Y Target Price 34.25
Price to earnings Ratio 11.92
1Y Target Price 34.25
Volume (30-day avg) 100.9K shares
Beta 0.46
52 Weeks Range 21.08 - 31.38
Updated Date 10/02/2026
52 Weeks Range 21.08 - 31.38
Updated Date 10/02/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 1.56%
Basic EPS (TTM) 2.43

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Net Interest IncomeInterest earned on commercial and retail loans minus interest paid on deposits.The bank profits primarily from the 'spread' between what it earns on loans and what it pays to savers.
Non-Interest IncomeService charges, fees from deposit accounts, and wealth management fees.This represents auxiliary fee-based revenue that helps diversify the bank's income stream.
Geography (Louisiana and surrounding)Lending and deposit operations concentrated in the Southern US.The bank's health is directly tied to the economic prosperity of the specific regional markets it serves.
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Valuation

Trailing PE 11.92
Forward PE 9.84
Enterprise Value 554.06M
Price to Sales(TTM) 3.28
Enterprise Value 554.06M
Price to Sales(TTM) 3.28
Enterprise Value to Revenue 5.1
Enterprise Value to EBITDA -
Shares Outstanding 13.78M
Shares Floating 12.53M
Shares Outstanding 13.78M
Shares Floating 12.53M
Percent Insiders 9.2
Percent Institutions 65.07

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Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

About Investar Holding Corp

Exchange NASDAQ
Headquarters Baton Rouge, LA, United States
IPO Launch date 2014-07-01
President, CEO & Director Mr. John Joseph D'Angelo
Sector Financial Services
Industry Banks - Regional
Full time employees 421
Full time employees 421

Investar Holding Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Investar Bank that provides a range of commercial banking products to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in south Louisiana, southeast Texas, and Alabama in the United States. The company offers various deposit products and services, such as savings, checking, money market, and individual retirement accounts, as well as various certificates of deposit; debit and credit cards; internet, mobile, and video banking services; and reciprocal deposit products. It also provides commercial real estate loans; commercial and industrial loans, including working capital lines of credit and equipment loans; construction and development loans comprising loans for the construction of commercial projects, and single family residential and multifamily properties; one-to-four family residential real estate loans, which includes second mortgage loans; and consumer loans, such as secured or unsecured loans, installment or term loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, business purpose loans, and auto loans, as well as loans for personal, family, and household purposes. In addition, the company offers treasury management products, including remote deposit capture, virtual vaults, positive pay, automated clearing house origination, credit card processing, wire transfers, investment sweep accounts, and business internet banking services. Further, it provides various other banking services, such as cashier's checks, direct deposit of payroll and social security checks, night depository, bank-by-mail, ATMs with deposit automation, electronic statements, interactive teller machines, online account opening, online bill payment, online fund transfer, Zelle money transfer solutions, and mobile wallet payment option services. Investar Holding Corporation was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.