BA vs. WFC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 21, 2025

Here’s a clear look at BA and WFC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	BA	WFC
Company Name	The Boeing Company	Wells Fargo & Company
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Financials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Banks
Market Capitalization	176.46 billion USD	249.52 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	June 1, 1972
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BA and WFC 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.

BA vs. WFC: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BA	WFC
5-Day Price Return	2.66%	1.09%
13-Week Price Return	17.55%	4.02%
26-Week Price Return	26.28%	-4.34%
52-Week Price Return	42.19%	49.62%
Month-to-Date Return	5.20%	-3.40%
Year-to-Date Return	31.85%	10.89%
10-Day Avg. Volume	6.02M	14.51M
3-Month Avg. Volume	8.67M	18.42M
3-Month Volatility	27.11%	24.32%
Beta	1.51	1.27

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BA

2,402.16%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 43.89%
Q3: 22.42%
Median: 12.50%
Q1: 5.21%
Min: -6.24%

BA’s Return on Equity of 2,402.16% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

WFC

11.36%

Banks Industry

Max: 26.37%
Q3: 15.92%
Median: 12.25%
Q1: 8.69%
Min: 0.15%

WFC’s Return on Equity of 11.36% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

BA vs. WFC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Banks industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BA

-14.18%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 14.54%
Q3: 8.08%
Median: 6.17%
Q1: 2.49%
Min: -1.63%

BA has a negative Net Profit Margin of -14.18%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

WFC

22.19%

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.70%
Median: 28.97%
Q1: 22.53%
Min: 6.98%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Banks industry, WFC’s Net Profit Margin of 22.19% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

BA vs. WFC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Banks industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BA

-12.27%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 16.63%
Q3: 10.38%
Median: 8.29%
Q1: 6.21%
Min: 0.95%

BA has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -12.27%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

WFC

25.35%

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.59%
Median: 37.24%
Q1: 28.25%
Min: 13.37%

WFC’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.35% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

BA vs. WFC: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Banks industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BA	WFC
Return on Equity (TTM)	2,402.16%	11.36%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-7.06%	1.06%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-14.18%	22.19%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	-12.27%	25.35%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	-0.32%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BA

1.23

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 3.09
Q3: 1.98
Median: 1.23
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.02

BA’s Current Ratio of 1.23 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

WFC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

BA vs. WFC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Banks industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BA

117.95

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 1.70
Q3: 1.04
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 117.95, BA operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Aerospace & Defense industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

WFC

2.01

Banks Industry

Max: 4.75
Q3: 2.62
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.39
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.

BA vs. WFC: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Banks industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BA

-3.60

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 36.57
Q3: 19.90
Median: 7.04
Q1: 2.40
Min: -7.63

BA has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -3.60. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

WFC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.

BA vs. WFC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Banks industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BA	WFC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.23	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.38	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	117.95	2.01
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-3.60	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

BA vs. WFC: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

BA vs. WFC: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

BA

0.09%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 2.03%
Q3: 1.22%
Median: 0.43%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

BA’s Dividend Yield of 0.09% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

WFC

2.53%

Banks Industry

Max: 10.27%
Q3: 5.83%
Median: 3.81%
Q1: 2.50%
Min: 0.00%

WFC’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

BA vs. WFC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BA

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 83.87%
Q3: 49.90%
Median: 16.48%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

BA 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.

WFC

31.00%

Banks Industry

Max: 147.07%
Q3: 80.55%
Median: 54.40%
Q1: 35.71%
Min: 0.00%

WFC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.00% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

BA vs. WFC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	BA	WFC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.09%	2.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	31.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BA

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 65.97
Q3: 54.11
Median: 34.53
Q1: 23.66
Min: 0.00

P/E Ratio data for BA is currently unavailable.

WFC

12.27

Banks Industry

Max: 20.05
Q3: 12.65
Median: 10.21
Q1: 7.54
Min: 2.74

WFC’s P/E Ratio of 12.27 is within the middle range for the Banks industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

BA vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BA

2.36

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 8.07
Q3: 4.49
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.00

BA’s P/S Ratio of 2.36 aligns with the market consensus for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

WFC

1.91

Banks Industry

Max: 5.06
Q3: 2.98
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.59
Min: 0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

BA vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BA

1,764.78

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 13.67
Q3: 7.92
Median: 4.65
Q1: 2.68
Min: 0.82

At 1,764.78, BA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense 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.

WFC

1.42

Banks Industry

Max: 2.18
Q3: 1.36
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.81
Min: 0.20

WFC’s P/B Ratio of 1.42 is in the upper tier for the Banks industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

BA vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Banks industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BA	WFC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	12.27
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.36	1.91
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1,764.78	1.42
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	32.11	16.66