COF vs. SYF: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 20, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	COF	SYF
Company Name	Capital One Financial Corporation	Synchrony Financial
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Consumer Finance	Consumer Finance
Market Capitalization	138.76 billion USD	27.01 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	November 16, 1994	July 31, 2014
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of COF and SYF 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	COF	SYF
5-Day Price Return	4.67%	6.05%
13-Week Price Return	8.51%	20.26%
26-Week Price Return	5.00%	6.42%
52-Week Price Return	64.22%	59.01%
Month-to-Date Return	0.92%	4.19%
Year-to-Date Return	21.67%	11.68%
10-Day Avg. Volume	3.53M	3.71M
3-Month Avg. Volume	4.71M	3.98M
3-Month Volatility	28.60%	31.23%
Beta	1.22	1.54

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

COF

0.00%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 32.87%
Q3: 20.39%
Median: 14.14%
Q1: 7.64%
Min: -10.63%

COF’s Return on Equity of 0.00% is in the lower quartile for the Consumer Finance industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

SYF

19.89%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 32.87%
Q3: 20.39%
Median: 14.14%
Q1: 7.64%
Min: -10.63%

SYF’s Return on Equity of 19.89% is on par with the norm for the Consumer Finance industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

COF vs. SYF: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Consumer Finance industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

COF

14.90%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 19.68%
Q3: 15.94%
Median: 13.37%
Q1: 9.73%
Min: 3.66%

COF’s Net Profit Margin of 14.90% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Finance industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

SYF

14.06%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 19.68%
Q3: 15.94%
Median: 13.37%
Q1: 9.73%
Min: 3.66%

SYF’s Net Profit Margin of 14.06% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Finance industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

COF vs. SYF: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Consumer Finance industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

COF

18.33%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 50.11%
Q3: 29.38%
Median: 18.31%
Q1: 14.26%
Min: -5.45%

COF’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.33% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Finance industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

SYF

18.39%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 50.11%
Q3: 29.38%
Median: 18.31%
Q1: 14.26%
Min: -5.45%

SYF’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.39% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Finance industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

COF vs. SYF: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Consumer Finance industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	COF	SYF
Return on Equity (TTM)	0.00%	19.89%
Return on Assets (TTM)	0.00%	2.73%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	14.90%	14.06%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	18.33%	18.39%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

COF

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 5.34
Q3: 4.21
Median: 2.67
Q1: 0.71
Min: 0.20

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

SYF

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 5.34
Q3: 4.21
Median: 2.67
Q1: 0.71
Min: 0.20

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

COF vs. SYF: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Consumer Finance industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

COF

0.47

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 6.63
Q3: 3.39
Median: 2.21
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.00

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

SYF

0.94

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 6.63
Q3: 3.39
Median: 2.21
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.00

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

COF vs. SYF: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Consumer Finance industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

COF

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 49.63
Q3: 39.33
Median: 4.56
Q1: 2.97
Min: -15.69

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

SYF

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 49.63
Q3: 39.33
Median: 4.56
Q1: 2.97
Min: -15.69

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

COF vs. SYF: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Consumer Finance industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	COF	SYF
Current Ratio (MRQ)	--	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	--	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.47	0.94
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	--	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

COF vs. SYF: 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

COF vs. SYF: 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)

COF

0.95%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 8.31%
Q3: 3.93%
Median: 2.51%
Q1: 0.84%
Min: 0.00%

COF’s Dividend Yield of 0.95% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Finance industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SYF

1.82%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 8.31%
Q3: 3.93%
Median: 2.51%
Q1: 0.84%
Min: 0.00%

SYF’s Dividend Yield of 1.82% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Finance industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

COF vs. SYF: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Consumer Finance industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

COF

23.78%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 145.89%
Q3: 88.53%
Median: 23.79%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

COF’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 23.78% is within the typical range for the Consumer Finance industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

SYF

14.94%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 145.89%
Q3: 88.53%
Median: 23.79%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

SYF’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 14.94% is within the typical range for the Consumer Finance industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

COF vs. SYF: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Consumer Finance industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	COF	SYF
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.95%	1.82%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	23.78%	14.94%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

COF

28.43

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 34.39
Q3: 20.36
Median: 13.05
Q1: 9.29
Min: 4.74

A P/E Ratio of 28.43 places COF in the upper quartile for the Consumer Finance industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

SYF

8.19

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 34.39
Q3: 20.36
Median: 13.05
Q1: 9.29
Min: 4.74

In the lower quartile for the Consumer Finance industry, SYF’s P/E Ratio of 8.19 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

COF vs. SYF: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Consumer Finance industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

COF

1.12

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 4.28
Q3: 2.67
Median: 1.88
Q1: 1.15
Min: 0.55

In the lower quartile for the Consumer Finance industry, COF’s P/S Ratio of 1.12 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

SYF

0.73

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 4.28
Q3: 2.67
Median: 1.88
Q1: 1.15
Min: 0.55

In the lower quartile for the Consumer Finance industry, SYF’s P/S Ratio of 0.73 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

COF vs. SYF: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Consumer Finance industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

COF

1.23

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 3.63
Q3: 2.40
Median: 1.96
Q1: 1.16
Min: 0.26

COF’s P/B Ratio of 1.23 is within the conventional range for the Consumer Finance 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.

SYF

1.50

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 3.63
Q3: 2.40
Median: 1.96
Q1: 1.16
Min: 0.26

SYF’s P/B Ratio of 1.50 is within the conventional range for the Consumer Finance 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.

COF vs. SYF: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Consumer Finance industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	COF	SYF
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	28.43	8.19
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.12	0.73
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.23	1.50
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	7.60	2.73