WallStSmart

Lakeland Financial Corporation (LKFN)vsRoyal Bank of Canada (RY)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Royal Bank of Canada generates 24435% more annual revenue ($67.15B vs $273.69M). LKFN leads profitability with a 40.6% profit margin vs 33.9%. LKFN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.44. LKFN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 69/100 (B-).

LKFN

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: -0.68

RY

Strong Buy

66

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 8.0Value: 5.7Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -0.50

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

LKFN5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Profit MarginProfitability
40.6%10/10

Keeps 41 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
51.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 51.5%

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0910/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

P/E RatioValuation
13.8x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.9x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

RY5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$281.45B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
33.9%10/10

Keeps 34 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
46.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 46.4%

P/E RatioValuation
17.9x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
3.0x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

LKFN3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
Market CapQuality
$1.50B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.682/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

RY4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.264/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-28.67B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.502/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
2.881/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : LKFN

The strongest argument for LKFN centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 40.6% and operating margin at 51.5%. PEG of 1.44 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : RY

The strongest argument for RY centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 33.9% and operating margin at 46.4%.

Bear Case : LKFN

The primary concerns for LKFN are Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : RY

The primary concerns for RY are PEG Ratio, Free Cash Flow, Altman Z-Score. Debt-to-equity of 2.88 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

RY carries more volatility with a beta of 0.92 — expect wider price swings.

LKFN is growing revenue faster at 9.2% — sustainability is the question.

LKFN generates stronger free cash flow (19M), providing more financial flexibility.

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

Bottom Line

LKFN scores higher overall (69/100 vs 66/100), backed by strong 40.6% margins. 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.

Lakeland Financial Corporation

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Lakeland Financial Corporation is the banking holding company for Lake City Bank offering various banking products and services. The company is headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana.

Royal Bank of Canada

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA

Royal Bank of Canada is a globally diversified financial services company. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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