WallStSmart

CPI Card Group Inc (PMTS)vsSynchrony Financial (SYF)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Synchrony Financial generates 1695% more annual revenue ($9.76B vs $543.53M). SYF leads profitability with a 36.4% profit margin vs 2.8%. SYF trades at a lower P/E of 7.3x. SYF earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 71/100 (B).

PMTS

Hold

42

out of 100

Grade: D

Growth: 6.0Profit: 5.5Value: 8.3Quality: 5.0

SYF

Strong Buy

71

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 8.0Value: 7.3Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.03
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

PMTSUndervalued (+58.1%)

Margin of Safety

+58.1%

Fair Value

$27.90

Current Price

$14.00

$13.90 discount

UndervaluedFair: $27.90Overvalued
SYFUndervalued (+59.2%)

Margin of Safety

+59.2%

Fair Value

$178.92

Current Price

$67.63

$111.29 discount

UndervaluedFair: $178.92Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PMTS2 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
10.5x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Revenue GrowthGrowth
22.3%8/10

Revenue surging 22.3% year-over-year

SYF6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
7.3x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Profit MarginProfitability
36.4%10/10

Keeps 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
48.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 48.5%

Return on EquityProfitability
21.3%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 21 in profit

Price/BookValuation
1.5x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.45B8/10

Generating 2.5B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

PMTS3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Market CapQuality
$151.05M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Return on EquityProfitability
0.0%3/10

ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
2.8%3/10

2.8% margin — thin

SYF2 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
3.272/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.032/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : PMTS

The strongest argument for PMTS centers on P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 22.3% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : SYF

The strongest argument for SYF centers on P/E Ratio, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 36.4% and operating margin at 48.5%.

Bear Case : PMTS

The primary concerns for PMTS are Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Thin 2.8% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : SYF

The primary concerns for SYF are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

PMTS profiles as a growth stock while SYF is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

SYF carries more volatility with a beta of 1.41 — expect wider price swings.

PMTS is growing revenue faster at 22.3% — sustainability is the question.

SYF generates stronger free cash flow (2.5B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

SYF scores higher overall (71/100 vs 42/100), backed by strong 36.4% margins. PMTS offers better value entry with a 58.1% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

CPI Card Group Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

CPI Card Group Inc. is dedicated to the design, production, data personalization, packaging and fulfillment of financial payment cards. The company is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado.

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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