AJG vs. MFG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AJG and MFG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AJG’s market capitalization stands at 81.47 billion USD, while MFG’s is 70.64 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
AJG’s beta of 0.75 points to significantly higher volatility compared to MFG (beta: 0.18), suggesting AJG has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
MFG is an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), allowing U.S. investors direct exposure to its non-U.S. operations. AJG, on the other hand, is a domestic entity.
| Symbol | AJG | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. | Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. |
| Country | US | JP |
| Sector | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| Industry | Insurance - Brokers | Banks - Regional |
| CEO | J. Patrick Gallagher Jr. | Masahiro Kihara |
| Price | 318.1 USD | 5.63 USD |
| Market Cap | 81.47 billion USD | 70.64 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.75 | 0.18 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | June 20, 1984 | November 8, 2006 |
| ADR | No | Yes |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AJG and MFG by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AJG
9.41%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 40.40%
- Q3
- 30.52%
- Median
- 22.48%
- Q1
- 4.38%
- Min
- -5.38%
AJG’s Return on Equity of 9.41% is on par with the norm for the Insurance - Brokers industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
MFG
8.44%
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 19.20%
- Q3
- 11.87%
- Median
- 9.48%
- Q1
- 6.66%
- Min
- -0.15%
MFG’s Return on Equity of 8.44% is on par with the norm for the Banks - Regional industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
AJG
5.85%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 11.62%
- Q3
- 11.18%
- Median
- 8.38%
- Q1
- 2.57%
- Min
- -1.51%
AJG’s Return on Invested Capital of 5.85% is in line with the norm for the Insurance - Brokers industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
MFG
1.01%
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 13.33%
- Q3
- 7.16%
- Median
- 5.31%
- Q1
- 2.87%
- Min
- -3.49%
Return on Invested Capital is often not a primary measure of capital efficiency in the Banks - Regional industry.
Net Profit Margin
AJG
12.96%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 21.33%
- Q3
- 15.86%
- Median
- 10.63%
- Q1
- 1.06%
- Min
- -2.28%
AJG’s Net Profit Margin of 12.96% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Insurance - Brokers industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
MFG
18.46%
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 32.03%
- Q3
- 21.35%
- Median
- 16.99%
- Q1
- 12.69%
- Min
- 0.27%
MFG’s Net Profit Margin of 18.46% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Banks - Regional industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
AJG
23.06%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 28.73%
- Q3
- 23.24%
- Median
- 21.46%
- Q1
- 10.89%
- Min
- 5.35%
AJG’s Operating Profit Margin of 23.06% is around the midpoint for the Insurance - Brokers industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
MFG
27.11%
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 40.01%
- Q3
- 26.24%
- Median
- 21.14%
- Q1
- 15.85%
- Min
- 1.50%
An Operating Profit Margin of 27.11% places MFG in the upper quartile for the Banks - Regional industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.41% | 8.44% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.10% | 0.31% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 5.85% | 1.01% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.96% | 18.46% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 23.06% | 27.11% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 55.08% | 106.09% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AJG
1.44
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 1.90
- Q3
- 1.76
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 1.05
AJG’s Current Ratio of 1.44 aligns with the median group of the Insurance - Brokers industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
MFG
0.53
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 0.39
- Q3
- 0.22
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.10
- Min
- 0.01
For the Banks - Regional industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AJG
0.04
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 4.59
- Q3
- 2.12
- Median
- 0.59
- Q1
- 0.07
- Min
- 0.01
Falling into the lower quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry, AJG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
MFG
5.83
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 1.74
- Q3
- 0.81
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 5.83, MFG operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Banks - Regional industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AJG
29.40
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 29.40
- Q3
- 16.65
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 4.20
- Min
- 1.60
AJG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 29.40 is in the upper quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
MFG
0.26
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 1.58
- Q3
- 0.84
- Median
- 0.59
- Q1
- 0.35
- Min
- -0.35
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks - Regional industry.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.44 | 0.53 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.44 | 0.53 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.04 | 5.83 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.21 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -4.68 | -9.36 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 29.40 | 0.26 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AJG and MFG. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AJG
0.79%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 2.63%
- Q3
- 1.34%
- Median
- 0.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AJG’s Dividend Yield of 0.79% is consistent with its peers in the Insurance - Brokers industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
MFG
3.02%
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 11.72%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 3.00%
- Q1
- 1.68%
- Min
- 0.00%
MFG’s Dividend Yield of 3.02% is consistent with its peers in the Banks - Regional industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AJG
35.97%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 45.22%
- Q3
- 39.19%
- Median
- 29.49%
- Q1
- 3.85%
- Min
- 0.00%
AJG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 35.97% is within the typical range for the Insurance - Brokers industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
MFG
0.00%
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 155.35%
- Q3
- 50.05%
- Median
- 34.14%
- Q1
- 18.61%
- Min
- 0.00%
MFG has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.79% | 3.02% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 35.97% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AJG
46.21
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 45.50
- Q3
- 35.20
- Median
- 30.00
- Q1
- 28.34
- Min
- 26.42
At 46.21, AJG’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Insurance - Brokers industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
MFG
11.52
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 22.32
- Q3
- 15.38
- Median
- 12.31
- Q1
- 10.72
- Min
- 4.30
MFG’s P/E Ratio of 11.52 is within the middle range for the Banks - Regional industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AJG
3.32
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 3.00
- Median
- 2.77
- Q1
- 2.41
- Min
- 2.09
AJG’s Forward PEG Ratio of 3.32 is exceptionally high for the Insurance - Brokers industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
MFG
1.81
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 4.03
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.25
- Q1
- 0.71
- Min
- 0.02
MFG’s Forward PEG Ratio of 1.81 is within the middle range of its peers in the Banks - Regional industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AJG
6.77
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 7.38
- Q3
- 5.34
- Median
- 4.27
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.27
AJG’s P/S Ratio of 6.77 is in the upper echelon for the Insurance - Brokers industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
MFG
2.12
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 4.28
- Q3
- 2.76
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.71
- Min
- 0.55
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks - Regional industry.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AJG
3.23
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 10.90
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 6.93
- Q1
- 4.15
- Min
- 1.12
AJG’s P/B Ratio of 3.23 is in the lower quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
MFG
0.98
Banks - Regional Industry
- Max
- 1.99
- Q3
- 1.35
- Median
- 1.09
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.33
MFG’s P/B Ratio of 0.98 is within the conventional range for the Banks - Regional industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 46.21 | 11.52 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.32 | 1.81 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 6.77 | 2.12 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 3.23 | 0.98 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 32.26 | -- |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 19.36 | -1.15 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 5.46 | -0.30 |