WallStSmart

Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina (PEBK)vsU.S. Bancorp (USB)

VS
⚡

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

U.S. Bancorp generates 30345% more annual revenue ($27.89B vs $91.60M). USB leads profitability with a 30.0% profit margin vs 24.0%. PEBK trades at a lower P/E of 10.8x. USB earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 73/100 (B).

PEBK

Buy

63

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 7.0Value: 6.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: -0.58

USB

Strong Buy

73

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -0.36

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PEBK5 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
10.8x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.5x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
32.7%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 32.7%

EPS GrowthGrowth
56.7%10/10

Earnings expanding 56.7% YoY

Profit MarginProfitability
24.0%9/10

Keeps 24 of every $100 in revenue as profit

USB6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
11.4x10/10

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
$91.50B9/10

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

PEBK2 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Market CapQuality
$231.37M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.582/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

USB3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.794/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

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 : PEBK

The strongest argument for PEBK centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 24.0% and operating margin at 32.7%.

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%.

Bear Case : PEBK

The primary concerns for PEBK are Market Cap, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : USB

The primary concerns for USB are PEG Ratio, 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 (73/100 vs 63/100), backed by strong 30.0% 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.

Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. is a banking holding company for Peoples Bank that provides a variety of consumer and commercial banking products and services to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses. The company is headquartered in Newton, North Carolina.

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?