ARES vs. SFB: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ARES and SFB, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ARES’s market capitalization of 38.26 billion USD is substantially larger than SFB’s 11.03 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
With betas of 1.40 for ARES and 1.09 for SFB, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | ARES | SFB |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ares Management Corporation | Stifel Financial Corporation 5.20% Senior Notes due 2047 |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| Industry | Asset Management | Investment - Banking & Investment Services |
| CEO | Michael J. Arougheti | None |
| Price | 177.96 USD | 21 USD |
| Market Cap | 38.26 billion USD | 11.03 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.40 | 1.09 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | May 2, 2014 | October 17, 2017 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ARES and SFB 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
ARES
17.03%
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 34.25%
- Q3
- 18.22%
- Median
- 11.24%
- Q1
- 5.81%
- Min
- -5.72%
ARES’s Return on Equity of 17.03% is on par with the norm for the Asset Management industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
SFB
11.33%
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 11.33%
- Q3
- 9.82%
- Median
- 6.95%
- Q1
- 1.70%
- Min
- -7.08%
In the upper quartile for the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry, SFB’s Return on Equity of 11.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
ARES
15.74%
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 42.18%
- Q3
- 20.06%
- Median
- 8.68%
- Q1
- 3.13%
- Min
- -16.42%
ARES’s Return on Invested Capital of 15.74% is in line with the norm for the Asset Management industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
SFB
2.76%
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 9.59%
- Q3
- 7.88%
- Median
- 1.38%
- Q1
- -3.64%
- Min
- -7.80%
Return on Invested Capital is often not a primary measure of capital efficiency in the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry.
Net Profit Margin
ARES
10.46%
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 91.66%
- Q3
- 57.81%
- Median
- 29.48%
- Q1
- 15.70%
- Min
- -27.65%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Asset Management industry, ARES’s Net Profit Margin of 10.46% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
SFB
11.29%
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 45.80%
- Q3
- 30.83%
- Median
- 9.16%
- Q1
- -2.60%
- Min
- -38.28%
SFB’s Net Profit Margin of 11.29% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
ARES
27.62%
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 99.76%
- Q3
- 78.28%
- Median
- 34.76%
- Q1
- 21.75%
- Min
- -48.25%
ARES’s Operating Profit Margin of 27.62% is around the midpoint for the Asset Management industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
SFB
24.92%
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 81.43%
- Q3
- 42.20%
- Median
- 12.51%
- Q1
- -8.30%
- Min
- -22.17%
SFB’s Operating Profit Margin of 24.92% is around the midpoint for the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ARES | SFB |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 17.03% | 11.33% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 1.89% | 1.56% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 15.74% | 2.76% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.46% | 11.29% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.62% | 24.92% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 60.51% | 81.86% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ARES
0.90
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 12.44
- Q3
- 5.76
- Median
- 3.04
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.01
ARES’s Current Ratio of 0.90 falls into the lower quartile for the Asset Management industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
SFB
--
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 1.44
- Q3
- 1.42
- Median
- 0.81
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.03
Current Ratio data for SFB is currently unavailable.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ARES
0.15
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 2.62
- Q3
- 1.42
- Median
- 0.76
- Q1
- 0.34
- Min
- 0.01
Falling into the lower quartile for the Asset Management industry, ARES’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.15 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
SFB
0.27
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 1.86
- Q3
- 1.69
- Median
- 1.12
- Q1
- 0.65
- Min
- 0.27
Falling into the lower quartile for the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry, SFB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.27 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ARES
1.95
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 13.30
- Q3
- 6.30
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.00
- Min
- -6.91
ARES’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.95 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Asset Management industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
SFB
1.88
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 10.11
- Q3
- 5.15
- Median
- 1.31
- Q1
- -0.12
- Min
- -0.75
SFB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.88 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ARES | SFB |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 0.90 | -- |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.90 | -- |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.15 | 0.27 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.03 | 0.04 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 0.04 | -0.97 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.95 | 1.88 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ARES and SFB. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ARES
2.30%
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 26.09%
- Q3
- 11.60%
- Median
- 6.37%
- Q1
- 2.75%
- Min
- 0.00%
ARES’s Dividend Yield of 2.30% is in the lower quartile for the Asset Management industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
SFB
1.61%
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 8.37%
- Q3
- 8.00%
- Median
- 7.73%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
SFB’s Dividend Yield of 1.61% is in the lower quartile for the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ARES
323.36%
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 1,034.88%
- Q3
- 127.70%
- Median
- 75.15%
- Q1
- 34.21%
- Min
- 0.00%
ARES’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 323.36% is above 100%. This means the company is paying out more in dividends than it earned, a practice that is often unsustainable and could indicate a risk to future dividend stability.
SFB
47.45%
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 116.00%
- Q3
- 105.02%
- Median
- 47.45%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
SFB’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 47.45% is within the typical range for the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ARES | SFB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.30% | 1.61% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 323.36% | 47.45% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ARES
72.45
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 38.72
- Q3
- 23.40
- Median
- 11.45
- Q1
- 8.80
- Min
- 1.54
At 72.45, ARES’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Asset Management industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
SFB
18.43
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 17.50
- Q3
- 15.38
- Median
- 13.59
- Q1
- 9.39
- Min
- 0.41
At 18.43, SFB’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ARES
3.26
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 6.38
- Q3
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 0.89
- Min
- 0.02
A Forward PEG Ratio of 3.26 places ARES in the upper quartile for the Asset Management industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
SFB
0.79
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 5.52
- Q3
- 5.29
- Median
- 5.05
- Q1
- 2.90
- Min
- 0.75
In the lower quartile for the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry, SFB’s Forward PEG Ratio of 0.79 is a positive indicator. It suggests that the stock may be attractively valued relative to its expected earnings growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ARES
7.78
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 13.75
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 4.87
- Q1
- 3.51
- Min
- 0.02
ARES’s P/S Ratio of 7.78 aligns with the market consensus for the Asset Management industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
SFB
2.04
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 6.72
- Q3
- 5.60
- Median
- 3.30
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- 0.00
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ARES
8.36
Asset Management Industry
- Max
- 5.33
- Q3
- 2.75
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.00
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Asset Management industry.
SFB
2.01
Investment - Banking & Investment Services Industry
- Max
- 1.91
- Q3
- 1.39
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.90
At 2.01, SFB’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Investment - Banking & Investment Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ARES | SFB |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 72.45 | 18.43 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.26 | 0.79 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 7.78 | 2.04 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 8.36 | 2.01 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 6.96 | 45.93 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 23.40 | 6.94 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 7.80 | 1.79 |