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

Updated on August 24, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	GE	WFC
Company Name	GE Aerospace	Wells Fargo & Company
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Financials
GICS Industry	Industrial Conglomerates	Banks
Market Capitalization	282.54 billion USD	250.38 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 GE 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GE	WFC
5-Day Price Return	-1.21%	-1.57%
13-Week Price Return	13.24%	2.76%
26-Week Price Return	27.87%	-0.88%
52-Week Price Return	55.88%	38.46%
Month-to-Date Return	-1.71%	-3.06%
Year-to-Date Return	59.75%	11.28%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.18M	13.57M
3-Month Avg. Volume	6.09M	17.24M
3-Month Volatility	23.66%	24.23%
Beta	1.53	1.27

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

GE

40.51%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 21.93%
Q3: 14.23%
Median: 7.81%
Q1: 5.91%
Min: -3.58%

GE’s Return on Equity of 40.51% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates 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.

GE vs. WFC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Banks industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

GE

18.64%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 18.70%
Q3: 12.58%
Median: 9.26%
Q1: 3.87%
Min: -2.26%

A Net Profit Margin of 18.64% places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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.

GE vs. WFC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Banks industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GE

15.53%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 25.69%
Q3: 17.03%
Median: 12.85%
Q1: 8.81%
Min: -0.73%

GE’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.53% is around the midpoint for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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.

GE vs. WFC: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Banks industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GE	WFC
Return on Equity (TTM)	40.51%	11.36%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.22%	1.06%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	18.64%	22.19%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	15.53%	25.35%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	35.97%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

GE

1.04

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.64
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.61

GE’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

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.

GE vs. WFC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Banks industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GE

0.99

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.27
Q3: 1.47
Median: 0.99
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.21

GE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.99 is typical for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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.

GE vs. WFC: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Banks industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

GE

5.01

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 11.17
Q3: 8.02
Median: 5.88
Q1: 2.73
Min: -2.15

GE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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.

GE vs. WFC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Banks industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GE	WFC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.04	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.73	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.99	2.01
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.01	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

GE 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

GE 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)

GE

0.46%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 10.17%
Q3: 5.53%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 1.88%
Min: 0.00%

GE’s Dividend Yield of 0.46% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

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.

GE vs. WFC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

GE

16.78%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 181.91%
Q3: 95.57%
Median: 50.60%
Q1: 35.01%
Min: 1.76%

GE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 16.78% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

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.

GE vs. WFC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GE	WFC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.46%	2.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	16.78%	31.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

GE

36.39

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 36.98
Q3: 22.09
Median: 12.18
Q1: 8.93
Min: 5.63

A P/E Ratio of 36.39 places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

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.

GE vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

GE

6.78

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 3.60
Q3: 2.10
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.42
Min: 0.11

With a P/S Ratio of 6.78, GE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

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.

GE vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

GE

14.26

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 4.89
Q3: 2.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.60
Min: 0.27

At 14.26, GE’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates 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.

GE vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Banks industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GE	WFC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	36.39	12.27
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.78	1.91
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	14.26	1.42
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	51.39	16.66