WallStSmart

Provident Financial Services Inc (PFS)vsWells Fargo & Company (WFC)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Wells Fargo & Company generates 9194% more annual revenue ($83.11B vs $894.27M). PFS leads profitability with a 35.0% profit margin vs 27.6%. WFC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.30. WFC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

PFS

Strong Buy

67

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: -0.52

WFC

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.0Profit: 7.5Value: 7.0Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -0.38

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PFS4 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
9.7x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.1x10/10

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%

WFC6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$250.35B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

P/E RatioValuation
11.8x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Operating MarginProfitability
34.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 34.2%

Profit MarginProfitability
27.6%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Price/BookValuation
1.6x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Free Cash FlowQuality
$6.78B8/10

Generating 6.8B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

PFS3 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

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.522/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

WFC3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.4%4/10

0.4% revenue growth

Debt/EquityHealth
1.263/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.382/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

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 : WFC

The strongest argument for WFC centers on Market Cap, P/E Ratio, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.6% and operating margin at 34.2%. PEG of 1.30 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : PFS

The primary concerns for PFS are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : WFC

The primary concerns for WFC are Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

WFC carries more volatility with a beta of 0.95 — expect wider price swings.

PFS is growing revenue faster at 3.8% — sustainability is the question.

WFC generates stronger free cash flow (6.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

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

Bottom Line

WFC scores higher overall (74/100 vs 67/100), backed by strong 27.6% 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.

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.

Wells Fargo & Company

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA

Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational financial services company with corporate headquarters in San Francisco, California, operational headquarters in Manhattan, and managerial offices throughout the United States and overseas.

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