WallStSmart

Provident Financial Services Inc (PFS)vsRoyal Bank of Canada (RY)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Royal Bank of Canada generates 7409% more annual revenue ($67.15B vs $894.27M). PFS leads profitability with a 35.0% profit margin vs 33.9%. PFS appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.61. PFS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 67/100 (B-).

PFS

Strong Buy

67

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 4.3
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: -0.52

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

PFS4 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
9.8x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
35.0%10/10

Keeps 35 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
52.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 52.3%

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

PFS4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.614/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
3.8%4/10

3.8% revenue growth

Debt/EquityHealth
1.653/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.522/10

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 : PFS

The strongest argument for PFS centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 35.0% and operating margin at 52.3%.

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 : PFS

The primary concerns for PFS are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity. Debt-to-equity of 1.65 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

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

PFS profiles as a value stock while RY is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

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

RY is growing revenue faster at 8.9% — sustainability is the question.

PFS generates stronger free cash flow (115M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

PFS scores higher overall (67/100 vs 66/100), backed by strong 35.0% 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.

Provident Financial Services Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Provident Financial Services, Inc. is the banking holding company for Provident Bank offering various banking products and services to individuals, families and businesses in the United States. The company is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey.

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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