WallStSmart

Carter Bank and Trust (CARE)vsPNC Financial Services Group Inc (PNC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

PNC Financial Services Group Inc generates 8397% more annual revenue ($24.32B vs $286.21M). CARE leads profitability with a 44.9% profit margin vs 31.4%. CARE trades at a lower P/E of 5.4x. CARE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 77/100 (B+).

CARE

Strong Buy

77

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 9.3Profit: 8.0Value: 6.7Quality: 3.8
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: -0.68

PNC

Strong Buy

76

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 7.5Value: 5.7Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: -0.48

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CARE6 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
5.4x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.3x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
44.9%10/10

Keeps 45 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
55.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 55.0%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
68.3%10/10

Revenue surging 68.3% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
253.9%10/10

Earnings expanding 253.9% YoY

PNC6 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Profit MarginProfitability
31.4%10/10

Keeps 31 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
38.7%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 38.7%

Market CapQuality
$97.44B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

P/E RatioValuation
13.4x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.7x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
23.6%8/10

Revenue surging 23.6% year-over-year

Areas to Watch

CARE3 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Market CapQuality
$723.41M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-262.89M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.682/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

PNC3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.704/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Debt/EquityHealth
1.343/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.482/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CARE

The strongest argument for CARE centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 44.9% and operating margin at 55.0%. Revenue growth of 68.3% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : PNC

The strongest argument for PNC centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.4% and operating margin at 38.7%. Revenue growth of 23.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : CARE

The primary concerns for CARE are Market Cap, Free Cash Flow, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : PNC

The primary concerns for PNC are PEG Ratio, Debt/Equity, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

PNC carries more volatility with a beta of 0.89 — expect wider price swings.

CARE is growing revenue faster at 68.3% — sustainability is the question.

PNC generates stronger free cash flow (2.1B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor BANKS - REGIONAL industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

CARE scores higher overall (77/100 vs 76/100), backed by strong 44.9% margins and 68.3% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Carter Bank and Trust

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Carter Bankshares, Inc. is the banking holding company for Carter Bank & Trust offering a variety of banking products and services. The company is headquartered in Martinsville, Virginia.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (stylized as PNC) is a bank holding company and financial services corporation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its banking subsidiary, PNC Bank, operates in 21 states and the District of Columbia with 2,296 branches and 9,051 ATMs. The company also provides financial services such as asset management, wealth management, estate planning, loan servicing, and information processing.

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