WallStSmart

Valley National Bancorp (VLY)vsWells Fargo & Company (WFC)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Wells Fargo & Company generates 3944% more annual revenue ($83.11B vs $2.05B). VLY leads profitability with a 35.8% profit margin vs 27.6%. VLY appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.16. WFC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

VLY

Strong Buy

73

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 7.0Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.21

WFC

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.0Profit: 7.5Value: 7.0Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -0.38

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

VLY5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
P/E RatioValuation
11.3x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
35.8%10/10

Keeps 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
48.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 48.6%

EPS GrowthGrowth
29.6%8/10

Earnings expanding 29.6% YoY

WFC6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$250.35B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

P/E RatioValuation
11.8x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Operating MarginProfitability
34.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 34.2%

Profit MarginProfitability
27.6%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Price/BookValuation
1.6x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Free Cash FlowQuality
$6.78B8/10

Generating 6.8B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

VLY1 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.212/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

WFC3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.4%4/10

0.4% revenue growth

Debt/EquityHealth
1.263/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.382/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : VLY

The strongest argument for VLY centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 35.8% and operating margin at 48.6%. PEG of 1.16 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : WFC

The strongest argument for WFC centers on Market Cap, P/E Ratio, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.6% and operating margin at 34.2%. PEG of 1.30 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : VLY

The primary concerns for VLY are Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : WFC

The primary concerns for WFC are Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

VLY profiles as a mature stock while WFC is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

VLY carries more volatility with a beta of 1.09 — expect wider price swings.

VLY is growing revenue faster at 9.7% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

WFC scores higher overall (74/100 vs 73/100), backed by strong 27.6% 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.

Valley National Bancorp

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

Valley National Bancorp is the parent company of Valley National Bank offering various commercial, retail, insurance and wealth management financial services products. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.

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.

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