WallStSmart

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (FCNCA)vsPNC Financial Services Group Inc (PNC)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

PNC Financial Services Group Inc generates 167% more annual revenue ($24.94B vs $9.33B). PNC leads profitability with a 31.7% profit margin vs 25.2%. FCNCA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.15. FCNCA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 77/100 (B+).

FCNCA

Strong Buy

77

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 8.7Profit: 7.5Value: 7.0Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.32

PNC

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: -0.48

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

FCNCA5 strengths · Avg: 9.4/10
P/E RatioValuation
11.4x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.3x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
39.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 39.0%

Profit MarginProfitability
25.2%9/10

Keeps 25 of every $100 in revenue as profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
31.0%8/10

Earnings expanding 31.0% YoY

PNC6 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
P/E RatioValuation
11.6x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.5x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
31.7%10/10

Keeps 32 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
41.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 41.1%

Market CapQuality
$86.73B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.15B8/10

Generating 2.1B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

FCNCA2 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.133/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.322/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

PNC3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.574/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Debt/EquityHealth
1.283/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.482/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : FCNCA

The strongest argument for FCNCA centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 25.2% and operating margin at 39.0%. PEG of 1.15 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : PNC

The strongest argument for PNC centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.7% and operating margin at 41.1%. Revenue growth of 10.9% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : FCNCA

The primary concerns for FCNCA are Debt/Equity, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : PNC

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

PNC carries more volatility with a beta of 0.93 — expect wider price swings.

PNC is growing revenue faster at 10.9% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

FCNCA scores higher overall (77/100 vs 75/100), backed by strong 25.2% 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.

First Citizens BancShares, Inc.

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. is the parent company of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company providing retail and business banking services to individuals, businesses and professionals. The company is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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.

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