Financial Analysis: Finward Bancorp (NASDAQ:FNWD) versus Magic Empire Global (NASDAQ:MEGL)

Finward Bancorp (NASDAQ:FNWD) and Magic Empire Global (NASDAQ:MEGL) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, risk and analyst recommendations.

Risk and Volatility

Finward Bancorp has a beta of 0.2, indicating that its stock price is 80% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Magic Empire Global has a beta of 2.41, indicating that its stock price is 141% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

26.6% of Finward Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.5% of Magic Empire Global shares are held by institutional investors. 13.1% of Finward Bancorp shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 63.0% of Magic Empire Global shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Finward Bancorp and Magic Empire Global’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Finward Bancorp	9.72%	5.92%	0.48%
Magic Empire Global	N/A	N/A	N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings for Finward Bancorp and Magic Empire Global, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Finward Bancorp	0	1	1	0	2.50
Magic Empire Global	1	0	0	0	1.00

Finward Bancorp presently has a consensus price target of $41.00, indicating a potential upside of 19.92%. Given Finward Bancorp’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Finward Bancorp is more favorable than Magic Empire Global.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Finward Bancorp and Magic Empire Global”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Finward Bancorp	$101.06 million	1.46	$8.09 million	$2.29	14.93
Magic Empire Global	$1.48 million	3.28	-$1.07 million	N/A	N/A

Finward Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than Magic Empire Global.

Summary

Finward Bancorp beats Magic Empire Global on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

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 Magic Empire Global

Magic Empire Global Limited engages in the provision of corporate finance advisory services and underwriting services in Hong Kong. The company provides initial public offering sponsorship, financial and independent financial advisory, post-listing compliance advisory, and underwriting services by acting as global coordinator, bookrunner, lead manager, or underwriter. It also offers corporate services, which include accounting and financial reporting advisory, company secretarial services, internal control enhancement, investor relations advisory, and other consulting services. The company was incorporated in 2016 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong.