WallStSmart

Northwest Bancshares Inc (NWBI)vsWells Fargo & Company (WFC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Wells Fargo & Company generates 12587% more annual revenue ($83.03B vs $654.41M). WFC leads profitability with a 27.2% profit margin vs 23.4%. WFC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.51. WFC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 76/100 (B+).

NWBI

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 8.7Profit: 6.5Value: 5.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -0.65

WFC

Strong Buy

76

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 5.7Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -0.38

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

NWBI6 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Price/BookValuation
1.2x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
41.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 41.6%

Profit MarginProfitability
23.4%9/10

Keeps 23 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
15.1x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Revenue GrowthGrowth
23.2%8/10

Revenue surging 23.2% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
38.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 38.5% YoY

WFC6 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Market CapQuality
$273.04B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Operating MarginProfitability
37.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 37.4%

Profit MarginProfitability
27.2%9/10

Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
13.1x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.7x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
25.0%8/10

Earnings expanding 25.0% YoY

Areas to Watch

NWBI3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.304/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Return on EquityProfitability
7.0%3/10

ROE of 7.0% — below average capital efficiency

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.652/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

WFC3 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.514/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.382/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
2.551/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : NWBI

The strongest argument for NWBI centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 23.4% and operating margin at 41.6%. Revenue growth of 23.2% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : WFC

The strongest argument for WFC centers on Market Cap, Operating Margin, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.2% and operating margin at 37.4%.

Bear Case : NWBI

The primary concerns for NWBI are PEG Ratio, Return on Equity, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : WFC

The primary concerns for WFC are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity. Debt-to-equity of 2.55 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

WFC carries more volatility with a beta of 0.92 — expect wider price swings.

NWBI is growing revenue faster at 23.2% — sustainability is the question.

WFC generates stronger free cash flow (6.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

WFC scores higher overall (76/100 vs 75/100), backed by strong 27.2% 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.

Northwest Bancshares Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. is a Northwest Bank holding company offering a variety of personal and business banking solutions. The company is headquartered in Warren, Pennsylvania.

Visit Website →

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.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?