WallStSmart

PNC Financial Services Group Inc (PNC)vsTarget Corporation (TGT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Target Corporation generates 369% more annual revenue ($104.78B vs $22.32B). PNC leads profitability with a 31.1% profit margin vs 3.5%. PNC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.17. PNC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 73/100 (B).

PNC

Strong Buy

73

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 10.0Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.15

TGT

Hold

46

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 2.0Profit: 5.5Value: 4.7Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.48
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

PNCUndervalued (+73.5%)

Margin of Safety

+73.5%

Fair Value

$776.41

Current Price

$205.95

$570.46 discount

UndervaluedFair: $776.41Overvalued
TGTSignificantly Overvalued (-107.3%)

Margin of Safety

-107.3%

Fair Value

$55.28

Current Price

$116.37

$61.09 premium

UndervaluedFair: $55.28Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PNC6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Price/BookValuation
1.5x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
31.1%10/10

Keeps 31 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
39.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 39.3%

Market CapQuality
$83.43B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

P/E RatioValuation
12.4x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

EPS GrowthGrowth
29.1%8/10

Earnings expanding 29.1% YoY

TGT4 strengths · Avg: 8.5/10
Market CapQuality
$52.70B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Return on EquityProfitability
24.0%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 24 in profit

P/E RatioValuation
14.3x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.29B8/10

Generating 2.3B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

PNC2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.174/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.152/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

TGT4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Profit MarginProfitability
3.5%3/10

3.5% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
4.9%3/10

Operating margin of 4.9%

PEG RatioValuation
3.222/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-1.5%2/10

Revenue declined 1.5%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : PNC

The strongest argument for PNC centers on Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.1% and operating margin at 39.3%.

Bull Case : TGT

The strongest argument for TGT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, P/E Ratio.

Bear Case : PNC

The primary concerns for PNC are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : TGT

The primary concerns for TGT are Profit Margin, Operating Margin, PEG Ratio. Thin 3.5% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

PNC profiles as a mature stock while TGT is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

TGT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.10 — expect wider price swings.

PNC is growing revenue faster at 9.6% — sustainability is the question.

TGT generates stronger free cash flow (2.3B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

PNC scores higher overall (73/100 vs 46/100), backed by strong 31.1% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (stylized as PNC) is a bank holding company and financial services corporation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its banking subsidiary, PNC Bank, operates in 21 states and the District of Columbia with 2,296 branches and 9,051 ATMs. The company also provides financial services such as asset management, wealth management, estate planning, loan servicing, and information processing.

Visit Website →

Target Corporation

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · DISCOUNT STORES · USA

Target Corporation is an American retail corporation. Their retail formats include the discount store Target, the hypermarket SuperTarget, and small-format stores previously named CityTarget and TargetExpress before being consolidated under the Target branding.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?