WallStSmart

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (FCNCA)vsJPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

JPMorgan Chase & Co generates 1938% more annual revenue ($186.33B vs $9.14B). JPM leads profitability with a 34.9% profit margin vs 24.7%. FCNCA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.41. JPM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 81/100 (A-).

FCNCA

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.0Value: 6.3Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.32

JPM

Exceptional Buy

81

out of 100

Grade: A-

Growth: 10.0Profit: 8.0Value: 5.7Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.55

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

FCNCA5 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.3x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
34.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 34.2%

Profit MarginProfitability
24.7%9/10

Keeps 25 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
12.2x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

EPS GrowthGrowth
23.6%8/10

Earnings expanding 23.6% YoY

JPM6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$900.78B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
34.9%10/10

Keeps 35 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
50.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 50.4%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
30.4%10/10

Revenue surging 30.4% year-over-year

P/E RatioValuation
14.8x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
2.6x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

FCNCA4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.9%4/10

4.9% revenue growth

Debt/EquityHealth
1.543/10

Elevated debt levels

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-22.00M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.322/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

JPM4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.734/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-211.76B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.552/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
3.301/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : FCNCA

The strongest argument for FCNCA centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 24.7% and operating margin at 34.2%. PEG of 1.41 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : JPM

The strongest argument for JPM centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.9% and operating margin at 50.4%. Revenue growth of 30.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : FCNCA

The primary concerns for FCNCA are Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity, Free Cash Flow. Debt-to-equity of 1.54 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : JPM

The primary concerns for JPM are PEG Ratio, Free Cash Flow, Altman Z-Score. Debt-to-equity of 3.30 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

FCNCA profiles as a value stock while JPM is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

JPM carries more volatility with a beta of 0.98 — expect wider price swings.

JPM is growing revenue faster at 30.4% — sustainability is the question.

FCNCA generates stronger free cash flow (-22M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

JPM scores higher overall (81/100 vs 75/100), backed by strong 34.9% margins and 30.4% revenue growth. Both earn "Exceptional 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.

First Citizens BancShares, Inc.

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. is the parent company of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company providing retail and business banking services to individuals, businesses and professionals. The company is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

JPMorgan Chase & Co

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is an American multinational investment bank and financial services holding company headquartered in New York City. JPMorgan Chase is incorporated in Delaware. As a Bulge Bracket bank, it is a major provider of various investment banking and financial services. It is one of America's Big Four banks, along with Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo. JPMorgan Chase is considered to be a universal bank and a custodian bank. The J.P. Morgan brand is used by the investment banking, asset management, private banking, private wealth management, and treasury services divisions.

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