WallStSmart

H2O America (HTO)vsSynchrony Financial (SYF)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Synchrony Financial generates 1112% more annual revenue ($9.89B vs $816.28M). SYF leads profitability with a 36.4% profit margin vs 12.9%. SYF appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.22. SYF earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 77/100 (B+).

HTO

Buy

57

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 5.3Profit: 5.5Value: 6.0Quality: 5.0

SYF

Strong Buy

77

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 8.0Value: 6.3Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.03
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

HTOUndervalued (+32.5%)

Margin of Safety

+32.5%

Fair Value

$76.99

Current Price

$57.60

$19.39 discount

UndervaluedFair: $76.99Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for SYF.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

HTO2 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
21.5%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 21.5%

SYF6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
7.8x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Profit MarginProfitability
36.4%10/10

Keeps 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
48.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 48.0%

Return on EquityProfitability
21.8%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 22 in profit

Price/BookValuation
1.7x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
20.1%8/10

Earnings expanding 20.1% YoY

Areas to Watch

HTO4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
0.0%4/10

0.0% earnings growth

Return on EquityProfitability
6.5%3/10

ROE of 6.5% — below average capital efficiency

PEG RatioValuation
2.512/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-49.23M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

SYF2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.224/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.032/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : HTO

The strongest argument for HTO centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin.

Bull Case : SYF

The strongest argument for SYF centers on P/E Ratio, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 36.4% and operating margin at 48.0%.

Bear Case : HTO

The primary concerns for HTO are EPS Growth, Return on Equity, PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : SYF

The primary concerns for SYF are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

HTO profiles as a value stock while SYF is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

SYF carries more volatility with a beta of 1.36 — expect wider price swings.

HTO is growing revenue faster at 9.4% — sustainability is the question.

SYF generates stronger free cash flow (2.2B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

SYF scores higher overall (77/100 vs 57/100), backed by strong 36.4% margins. HTO offers better value entry with a 32.5% margin of safety. 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.

H2O America

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED WATER · USA

H2O America, provides water utility and other related services in the United States. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Synchrony Financial

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Synchrony Financial is a consumer financial services company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, United States. The company offers consumer financing products, including credit, promotional financing and loyalty programs, installment lending to industries, and FDIC-insured consumer savings products through Synchrony Bank, its wholly owned online bank subsidiary.

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