WallStSmart

Peapack-Gladstone Financial (PGC)vsRoyal Bank of Canada (RY)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Royal Bank of Canada generates 23161% more annual revenue ($67.15B vs $288.68M). RY leads profitability with a 33.9% profit margin vs 18.0%. PGC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.64. PGC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 78/100 (B+).

PGC

Strong Buy

78

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 8.7Profit: 6.5Value: 7.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: -0.77

RY

Buy

63

out of 100

Grade: C+

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

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PGC6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Price/BookValuation
1.2x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
30.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 30.5%

EPS GrowthGrowth
91.2%10/10

Earnings expanding 91.2% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.169/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

PEG RatioValuation
0.648/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
16.1x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

RY4 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Market CapQuality
$291.55B10/10

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%

Price/BookValuation
2.9x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

PGC3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
Market CapQuality
$822.22M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Return on EquityProfitability
7.3%3/10

ROE of 7.3% — below average capital efficiency

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.772/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

RY4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.354/10

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 : PGC

The strongest argument for PGC centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 18.0% and operating margin at 30.5%. Revenue growth of 23.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

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 : PGC

The primary concerns for PGC are Market Cap, Return on Equity, 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

PGC profiles as a growth 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.

PGC is growing revenue faster at 23.4% — sustainability is the question.

PGC generates stronger free cash flow (50M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

PGC scores higher overall (78/100 vs 63/100), backed by strong 18.0% margins and 23.4% revenue growth. 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.

Peapack-Gladstone Financial

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation is the banking holding company for Peapack-Gladstone Bank providing private banking and wealth management services in the United States. The company is headquartered in Bedminster, 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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