WallStSmart

Lakeland Financial Corporation (LKFN)vsWells Fargo & Company (WFC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Wells Fargo & Company generates 30187% more annual revenue ($81.14B vs $267.89M). LKFN leads profitability with a 41.0% profit margin vs 26.7%. WFC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.43. LKFN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B).

LKFN

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 8.0Value: 6.3Quality: 3.3
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: -0.68

WFC

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 5.8
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.43

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

LKFN6 strengths · Avg: 8.7/10
Profit MarginProfitability
41.0%10/10

Keeps 41 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
49.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 49.4%

P/E RatioValuation
14.7x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
2.0x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
18.8%8/10

18.8% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
33.3%8/10

Earnings expanding 33.3% YoY

WFC6 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Market CapQuality
$242.24B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
26.7%9/10

Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
12.2x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Operating MarginProfitability
29.4%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 29.4%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$9.14B8/10

Generating 9.1B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

LKFN3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
Market CapQuality
$1.56B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.682/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

WFC1 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.432/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : LKFN

The strongest argument for LKFN centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, P/E Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 41.0% and operating margin at 49.4%. Revenue growth of 18.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : WFC

The strongest argument for WFC centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 26.7% and operating margin at 29.4%. PEG of 1.43 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : LKFN

The primary concerns for LKFN are Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : WFC

The primary concerns for WFC are Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

LKFN profiles as a growth stock while WFC is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

WFC carries more volatility with a beta of 0.96 — expect wider price swings.

LKFN is growing revenue faster at 18.8% — sustainability is the question.

WFC generates stronger free cash flow (9.1B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

LKFN scores higher overall (75/100 vs 74/100), backed by strong 41.0% margins and 18.8% revenue growth. 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.

Lakeland Financial Corporation

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Lakeland Financial Corporation is the banking holding company for Lake City Bank offering various banking products and services. The company is headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana.

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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