WallStSmart

Nelnet Inc (NNI)vsSynchrony Financial (SYF)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Synchrony Financial generates 566% more annual revenue ($9.91B vs $1.49B). SYF leads profitability with a 35.5% profit margin vs 20.3%. NNI appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.46. SYF earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B).

NNI

Buy

56

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 3.3Profit: 6.5Value: 7.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 7/9Altman Z: 1.13

SYF

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 5.3Profit: 8.0Value: 7.7Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.03

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

NNI4 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.4610/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
1.2x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
20.3%9/10

Keeps 20 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
15.0x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

SYF6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
8.1x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Profit MarginProfitability
35.5%10/10

Keeps 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
50.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 50.2%

Return on EquityProfitability
20.8%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 21 in profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.998/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
1.6x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

NNI4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.873/10

Elevated debt levels

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-30.5%2/10

Revenue declined 30.5%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-62.8%2/10

Earnings declined 62.8%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.132/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

SYF3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.6%4/10

0.6% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
3.6%4/10

3.6% earnings growth

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.032/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : NNI

The strongest argument for NNI centers on PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.3% and operating margin at 18.2%. PEG of 0.46 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : SYF

The strongest argument for SYF centers on P/E Ratio, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 35.5% and operating margin at 50.2%. PEG of 0.99 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : NNI

The primary concerns for NNI are Debt/Equity, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Debt-to-equity of 1.87 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : SYF

The primary concerns for SYF are Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

NNI profiles as a declining stock while SYF is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

SYF carries more volatility with a beta of 1.31 — expect wider price swings.

SYF is growing revenue faster at 0.6% — sustainability is the question.

SYF generates stronger free cash flow (2.4B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

SYF scores higher overall (75/100 vs 56/100), backed by strong 35.5% margins. 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.

Nelnet Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Nelnet, Inc. is engaged in the loan management, communications and educational technology, services and payment processing businesses globally. The company is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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Synchrony Financial

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Synchrony Financial is a consumer financial services company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, United States. The company offers consumer financing products, including credit, promotional financing and loyalty programs, installment lending to industries, and FDIC-insured consumer savings products through Synchrony Bank, its wholly owned online bank subsidiary.

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