WallStSmart

Lakeland Financial Corporation (LKFN)vsU.S. Bancorp (USB)

VS
⚡

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

U.S. Bancorp generates 9914% more annual revenue ($27.89B vs $278.46M). LKFN leads profitability with a 40.8% profit margin vs 30.0%. USB appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.44. USB earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B).

LKFN

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: -0.68

USB

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 7.0Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -0.36

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

LKFN5 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Profit MarginProfitability
40.8%10/10

Keeps 41 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
51.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 51.0%

Debt/EquityHealth
0.149/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

P/E RatioValuation
13.4x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
2.1x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

USB6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
11.6x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Profit MarginProfitability
30.0%10/10

Keeps 30 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
40.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 40.1%

Market CapQuality
$92.63B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Price/BookValuation
1.6x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Free Cash FlowQuality
$4.82B8/10

Generating 4.8B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

LKFN3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
Market CapQuality
$1.48B3/10

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

USB2 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.103/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.362/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

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 40.8% and operating margin at 51.0%. PEG of 1.44 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : USB

The strongest argument for USB centers on P/E Ratio, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 30.0% and operating margin at 40.1%. PEG of 1.44 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : LKFN

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

Bear Case : USB

The primary concerns for USB are Debt/Equity, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

USB carries more volatility with a beta of 1.02 — expect wider price swings.

USB is growing revenue faster at 8.4% — sustainability is the question.

USB generates stronger free cash flow (4.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

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

Bottom Line

USB scores higher overall (75/100 vs 69/100), backed by strong 30.0% 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.

U.S. Bancorp

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

U.S. Bancorp is an American bank holding company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and incorporated in Delaware. The company provides banking, investment, mortgage, trust, and payment services products to individuals, businesses, governmental entities, and other financial institutions.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?