First Merchants Corporation (FRME)vsItau Unibanco Banco Holding SA (ITUB)
FRME
First Merchants Corporation
$39.93
-0.42%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $2.65B
ITUB
Itau Unibanco Banco Holding SA
$7.54
-0.56%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $86.63B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Itau Unibanco Banco Holding SA generates 21566% more annual revenue ($138.19B vs $637.81M). ITUB leads profitability with a 33.3% profit margin vs 31.2%. ITUB appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.32. ITUB earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).
FRME
Buy59
out of 100
Grade: C
ITUB
Strong Buy74
out of 100
Grade: B
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Keeps 31 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Strong operational efficiency at 22.6%
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Keeps 33 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 33.1%
Large-cap with strong market position
Every $100 of equity generates 21 in profit
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
ROE of 7.4% — below average capital efficiency
Revenue declined 2.5%
Earnings declined 52.1%
Distress zone — elevated risk
Weak financial health signals
Revenue declined 2.1%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Elevated debt levels
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : FRME
The strongest argument for FRME centers on Price/Book, Profit Margin, P/E Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.2% and operating margin at 22.6%. PEG of 1.40 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : ITUB
The strongest argument for ITUB centers on P/E Ratio, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 33.3% and operating margin at 33.1%. PEG of 1.32 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : FRME
The primary concerns for FRME are Return on Equity, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.
Bear Case : ITUB
The primary concerns for ITUB are Piotroski F-Score, Revenue Growth, Free Cash Flow. Debt-to-equity of 4.99 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
FRME carries more volatility with a beta of 0.86 — expect wider price swings.
ITUB is growing revenue faster at -2.1% — sustainability is the question.
FRME generates stronger free cash flow (59M), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor BANKS - REGIONAL industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
ITUB scores higher overall (74/100 vs 59/100), backed by strong 33.3% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "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 Merchants Corporation
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA
First Merchants Corporation is the financial holding company for First Merchants Bank providing community banking services. The company is headquartered in Muncie, Indiana.
Itau Unibanco Banco Holding SA
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA
Ita Unibanco Holding SA offers a range of financial products and services in Brazil and internationally. The company is headquartered in So Paulo, Brazil.
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