Critical Contrast: Bogota Financial (NASDAQ:BSBK) versus AmeriServ Financial (NASDAQ:ASRV)

Bogota Financial (NASDAQ:BSBK) and AmeriServ Financial (NASDAQ:ASRV) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, dividends and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares Bogota Financial and AmeriServ Financial’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Bogota Financial	4.67%	1.50%	0.23%
AmeriServ Financial	6.20%	4.78%	0.38%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

11.6% of Bogota Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 31.5% of AmeriServ Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 3.7% of Bogota Financial shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 7.6% of AmeriServ Financial shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Bogota Financial and AmeriServ Financial”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Bogota Financial	$44.78 million	2.44	$2.09 million	$0.17	49.74
AmeriServ Financial	$88.34 million	0.75	$5.61 million	$0.33	11.89

AmeriServ Financial has higher revenue and earnings than Bogota Financial. AmeriServ Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Bogota Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Volatility & Risk

Bogota Financial has a beta of 0.15, suggesting that its stock price is 85% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, AmeriServ Financial has a beta of 0.47, suggesting that its stock price is 53% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations for Bogota Financial and AmeriServ Financial, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Bogota Financial	0	1	0	0	2.00
AmeriServ Financial	0	0	1	0	3.00

Summary

AmeriServ Financial beats Bogota Financial on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Bogota Financial

Bogota Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Bogota Savings Bank that provides banking products and services in the United States. It offers deposit accounts, including demand accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificate of deposit accounts. The company also provides one-to four-family residential real estate loans, and commercial real estate and multi-family loans; consumer loans, such as home equity loans and lines of credit; commercial and industrial loans; and construction loans; and buys, sells, and holds investment securities. It operates through various offices located in Bogota, Hasbrouck Heights, Newark, Oak Ridge, Parsippany, and Teaneck, as well as through a loan production office in Spring Lake, New Jersey. The company was founded in 1893 and is based in Teaneck, New Jersey. Bogota Financial Corp. operates as a subsidiary of Bogota Financial, MHC.

About AmeriServ Financial

AmeriServ Financial, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of consumer, mortgage and commercial financial products and services through its subsidiary. It operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Wealth Management, and Investment or Parent. The Community Banking segment includes both retail and commercial banking activities. The Wealth Management segment involves in the operations of a Trust Company, West Chester Capital Advisors an investment advisory firm, and Financial Services. The Investment or Parent segment offers investment securities, borrowing activities, and general corporate expenses. The company was founded in January 1983 and is headquartered in Johnstown, PA.