WallStSmart

Provident Financial Services Inc (PFS)vsWells Fargo & Company (WFC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Wells Fargo & Company generates 9057% more annual revenue ($81.14B vs $886.01M). PFS leads profitability with a 34.6% profit margin vs 26.7%. WFC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.43. WFC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

PFS

Strong Buy

73

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.0Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 5.0

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

PFS5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
P/E RatioValuation
9.6x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
34.6%10/10

Keeps 35 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
53.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 53.5%

EPS GrowthGrowth
24.2%8/10

Earnings expanding 24.2% 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

PFS1 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.614/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

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

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : PFS

The strongest argument for PFS centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.6% and operating margin at 53.5%.

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 : PFS

The primary concerns for PFS are PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : WFC

The primary concerns for WFC are Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

PFS is growing revenue faster at 9.2% — sustainability is the question.

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

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

Bottom Line

WFC scores higher overall (74/100 vs 73/100), backed by strong 26.7% 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.

Provident Financial Services Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Provident Financial Services, Inc. is the banking holding company for Provident Bank offering various banking products and services to individuals, families and businesses in the United States. The company is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey.

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?