WallStSmart

PNC Financial Services Group Inc (PNC)vsEssential Utilities Inc (WTRG)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

PNC Financial Services Group Inc generates 831% more annual revenue ($23.04B vs $2.47B). PNC leads profitability with a 31.3% profit margin vs 24.9%. PNC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.70. PNC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B).

PNC

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 5.7Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.15

WTRG

Buy

60

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 4.7Profit: 7.5Value: 6.7Quality: 3.3
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 0.74
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

Intrinsic value data unavailable for PNC.

WTRGUndervalued (+47.4%)

Margin of Safety

+47.4%

Fair Value

$71.13

Current Price

$37.54

$33.59 discount

UndervaluedFair: $71.13Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PNC6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
31.3%10/10

Keeps 31 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
36.7%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 36.7%

Market CapQuality
$89.03B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

P/E RatioValuation
12.8x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.28B8/10

Generating 2.3B in free cash flow

WTRG5 strengths · Avg: 8.6/10
Operating MarginProfitability
32.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 32.4%

Profit MarginProfitability
24.9%9/10

Keeps 25 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
17.3x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.5x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
15.7%8/10

15.7% revenue growth

Areas to Watch

PNC2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.704/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.152/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

WTRG4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
3.622/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

EPS GrowthGrowth
-30.0%2/10

Earnings declined 30.0%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-240.78M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : PNC

The strongest argument for PNC centers on Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.3% and operating margin at 36.7%. Revenue growth of 13.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : WTRG

The strongest argument for WTRG centers on Operating Margin, Profit Margin, P/E Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 24.9% and operating margin at 32.4%. Revenue growth of 15.7% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : PNC

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

Bear Case : WTRG

The primary concerns for WTRG are Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio, EPS Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

PNC profiles as a mature stock while WTRG is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

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

WTRG is growing revenue faster at 15.7% — sustainability is the question.

PNC generates stronger free cash flow (2.3B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

PNC scores higher overall (75/100 vs 60/100), backed by strong 31.3% margins and 13.8% revenue growth. WTRG offers better value entry with a 47.4% margin of safety. 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.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (stylized as PNC) is a bank holding company and financial services corporation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its banking subsidiary, PNC Bank, operates in 21 states and the District of Columbia with 2,296 branches and 9,051 ATMs. The company also provides financial services such as asset management, wealth management, estate planning, loan servicing, and information processing.

Visit Website →

Essential Utilities Inc

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED WATER · USA

Essential Utilities, Inc. operates regulated utilities that provide water, wastewater, or natural gas services in the United States. The company is headquartered in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?