First Foundation (FFWM) Competitors

First Foundation (NASDAQ:FFWM) and Columbia Financial (NASDAQ:CLBK) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, risk, analyst recommendations, community ranking, dividends, earnings, profitability, valuation and institutional ownership.

Is FFWM or CLBK more profitable?

Columbia Financial has a net margin of -2.39% compared to First Foundation's net margin of -13.94%. Columbia Financial's return on equity of 2.20% beat First Foundation's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
First Foundation	-13.94%	-0.73%	-0.05%
Columbia Financial	-2.39%	2.20%	0.22%

Which has more volatility & risk, FFWM or CLBK?

First Foundation has a beta of 1.35, suggesting that its share price is 35% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Columbia Financial has a beta of 0.16, suggesting that its share price is 84% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Does the media prefer FFWM or CLBK?

In the previous week, First Foundation and First Foundation both had 1 articles in the media. Columbia Financial's average media sentiment score of 1.87 beat First Foundation's score of 0.33 indicating that Columbia Financial is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Overall Sentiment
First Foundation	Neutral
Columbia Financial	Very Positive

Which has better valuation & earnings, FFWM or CLBK?

Columbia Financial has higher revenue and earnings than First Foundation. Columbia Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Foundation, 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 Foundation	$53.19M	7.67	-$92.41M	-$1.34	-3.70
Columbia Financial	$179.88M	8.83	-$11.65M	-$0.12	-126.33

Does the MarketBeat Community believe in FFWM or CLBK?

First Foundation received 137 more outperform votes than Columbia Financial when rated by MarketBeat users. However, 67.98% of users gave Columbia Financial an outperform vote while only 58.89% of users gave First Foundation an outperform vote.

Company	Underperform	Outperform
First Foundation	Outperform Votes 275 58.89%	Underperform Votes 192 41.11%
Columbia Financial	Outperform Votes 138 67.98%	Underperform Votes 65 32.02%

Do insiders and institutionals hold more shares of FFWM or CLBK?

73.1% of First Foundation shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 12.7% of Columbia Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 7.1% of First Foundation shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.4% of Columbia Financial shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Do analysts rate FFWM or CLBK?

First Foundation presently has a consensus price target of $6.75, indicating a potential upside of 36.28%. Columbia Financial has a consensus price target of $17.00, indicating a potential upside of 12.14%. Given First Foundation's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe First Foundation is more favorable than Columbia Financial.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
First Foundation	0 Sell rating(s)	4 Hold rating(s)	1 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.20
Columbia Financial	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	0 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.00

Summary

Columbia Financial beats First Foundation on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.