Banco Bradesco (NYSE:BBDO) versus Finward Bancorp (NASDAQ:FNWD) Financial Survey

Finward Bancorp (NASDAQ:FNWD) and Banco Bradesco (NYSE:BBDO) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Finward Bancorp and Banco Bradesco’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Finward Bancorp	9.65%	5.68%	0.48%
Banco Bradesco	12.58%	15.51%	1.16%

Volatility and Risk

Finward Bancorp has a beta of 0.15, indicating that its stock price is 85% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Banco Bradesco has a beta of 0.48, indicating that its stock price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Finward Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Banco Bradesco pays an annual dividend of $0.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.5%. Finward Bancorp pays out 21.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Banco Bradesco pays out 4.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Finward Bancorp and Banco Bradesco”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Finward Bancorp	$69.12 million	2.73	$8.09 million	$2.27	19.19
Banco Bradesco	$123.82 billion	0.31	$4.24 billion	$0.46	7.97

Banco Bradesco has higher revenue and earnings than Finward Bancorp. Banco Bradesco is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Finward Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

26.6% of Finward Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. 13.1% of Finward Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Banco Bradesco shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Finward Bancorp and Banco Bradesco, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Finward Bancorp	0	1	2	0	2.67
Banco Bradesco	0	0	1	0	3.00

Finward Bancorp presently has a consensus target price of $41.00, indicating a potential downside of 5.88%. Given Finward Bancorp’s higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Finward Bancorp is more favorable than Banco Bradesco.

About Finward Bancorp

Finward Bancorp operates as the holding company for Peoples Bank that provides various banking products and services. The company’s deposit products include non-interest- and interest-bearing demand accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, certificate accounts, and retirement savings plans. Its loan products portfolio comprises residential mortgage loans that enable borrowers to purchase existing homes, refinance existing homes, or construct new homes; construction loans primarily to individuals and contractors; commercial real estate loans; consumer loans to individuals for personal, household, or family purposes; home equity line of credit; home improvement loans and equity loans; commercial business loans; government loans; and loans to municipalities. The company also offers estate and retirement planning, custodial services, guardianships, IRA accounts, and investment agency accounts, as well as serves as the personal representative of estates, and acts as trustee for revocable and irrevocable trusts. In addition, it provides insurance and annuity investments to wealth management customers; holds real estate properties; and operates as a real estate investment trust. The company was formerly known as NorthWest Indiana Bancorp and changed its name to Finward Bancorp in May 2021. Finward Bancorp was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in Munster, Indiana.

About Banco Bradesco

Banco Bradesco S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, corporates, and businesses in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Banking and Insurance. It provides current, savings, click, and salary accounts; real estate credit, vehicle financing, payroll loans, mortgage loans, microcredit, leasing, and personal and installment credit; overdraft and agribusiness loans; debit and business cards; financial and security services; consortium products; car, personal accident, dental, travel, and life insurance; investment products; pension products; foreign currency exchange services; capitalization bonds; and internet banking services. Banco Bradesco S.A. was founded in 1943 and is headquartered in Osasco, Brazil.