WallStSmart

JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM)vsSouthern First Bancshares Inc (SFST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

JPMorgan Chase & Co generates 144548% more annual revenue ($186.33B vs $128.81M). JPM leads profitability with a 34.9% profit margin vs 30.7%. JPM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.64. JPM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 81/100 (A-).

JPM

Exceptional Buy

81

out of 100

Grade: A-

Growth: 10.0Profit: 8.0Value: 5.7Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.55

SFST

Strong Buy

71

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 9.3Profit: 7.5Value: 5.7Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: -0.77

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

JPM6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$946.93B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
34.9%10/10

Keeps 35 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
50.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 50.4%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
30.4%10/10

Revenue surging 30.4% year-over-year

P/E RatioValuation
15.2x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
2.6x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

SFST6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.3x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
30.7%10/10

Keeps 31 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
44.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 44.0%

P/E RatioValuation
13.6x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Revenue GrowthGrowth
24.8%8/10

Revenue surging 24.8% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
48.1%8/10

Earnings expanding 48.1% YoY

Areas to Watch

JPM4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.644/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-25.28B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.552/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
3.301/10

Elevated debt levels

SFST3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.314/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Market CapQuality
$597.86M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.772/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : JPM

The strongest argument for JPM centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.9% and operating margin at 50.4%. Revenue growth of 30.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : SFST

The strongest argument for SFST centers on Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 30.7% and operating margin at 44.0%. Revenue growth of 24.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : JPM

The primary concerns for JPM are PEG Ratio, Free Cash Flow, Altman Z-Score. Debt-to-equity of 3.30 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : SFST

The primary concerns for SFST are PEG Ratio, Market Cap, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

JPM carries more volatility with a beta of 0.97 — expect wider price swings.

JPM is growing revenue faster at 30.4% — sustainability is the question.

SFST generates stronger free cash flow (17M), providing more financial flexibility.

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

Bottom Line

JPM scores higher overall (81/100 vs 71/100), backed by strong 34.9% margins and 30.4% revenue growth. Both earn "Exceptional 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.

JPMorgan Chase & Co

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is an American multinational investment bank and financial services holding company headquartered in New York City. JPMorgan Chase is incorporated in Delaware. As a Bulge Bracket bank, it is a major provider of various investment banking and financial services. It is one of America's Big Four banks, along with Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo. JPMorgan Chase is considered to be a universal bank and a custodian bank. The J.P. Morgan brand is used by the investment banking, asset management, private banking, private wealth management, and treasury services divisions.

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Southern First Bancshares Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. is the banking holding company for Southern First Bank offering various banking products and services to the general public in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. The company is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.

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