GOOGL vs. WFC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GOOGL and WFC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GOOGL | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alphabet Inc. | Wells Fargo & Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Financials |
| GICS Industry | Interactive Media & Services | Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 2,448.32 billion USD | 249.52 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 19, 2004 | June 1, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GOOGL 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.77% | 1.09% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 27.45% | 4.02% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 5.41% | -4.34% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 24.44% | 49.62% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.24% | -3.40% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 6.69% | 10.89% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 32.10M | 14.51M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 40.67M | 18.42M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.44% | 24.32% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 1.27 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GOOGL
34.31%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.37%
- Q3
- 29.69%
- Median
- 9.73%
- Q1
- 2.47%
- Min
- -26.19%
In the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, GOOGL’s Return on Equity of 34.31% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
GOOGL
31.12%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.41%
- Q3
- 29.38%
- Median
- 17.14%
- Q1
- 3.13%
- Min
- -30.88%
A Net Profit Margin of 31.12% places GOOGL in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
GOOGL
32.68%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 65.96%
- Q3
- 36.95%
- Median
- 18.60%
- Q1
- 5.69%
- Min
- -18.13%
GOOGL’s Operating Profit Margin of 32.68% is around the midpoint for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.31% | 11.36% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 24.88% | 1.06% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.12% | 22.19% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.68% | 25.35% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 58.94% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GOOGL
1.90
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.30
- Q3
- 2.68
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.45
GOOGL’s Current Ratio of 1.90 aligns with the median group of the Interactive Media & Services 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
GOOGL
0.07
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.90
- Q3
- 0.47
- Median
- 0.16
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
GOOGL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.07 is typical for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
GOOGL
16.20
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 67.60
- Q3
- 29.41
- Median
- 6.36
- Q1
- -0.87
- Min
- -37.02
GOOGL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 16.20 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.90 | -- |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.90 | -- |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.07 | 2.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 16.20 | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GOOGL
0.40%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.87%
- Q3
- 1.08%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GOOGL’s Dividend Yield of 0.40% is consistent with its peers in the Interactive Media & Services 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
GOOGL
8.54%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 87.35%
- Q3
- 38.67%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GOOGL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 8.54% is within the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.40% | 2.53% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 8.54% | 31.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GOOGL
21.23
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 87.79
- Q3
- 54.33
- Median
- 25.46
- Q1
- 18.76
- Min
- 6.96
GOOGL’s P/E Ratio of 21.23 is within the middle range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GOOGL
6.61
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.01
- Q3
- 12.39
- Median
- 6.49
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- 0.22
GOOGL’s P/S Ratio of 6.61 aligns with the market consensus for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
GOOGL
5.91
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.66
- Q3
- 7.17
- Median
- 4.17
- Q1
- 2.80
- Min
- 0.12
GOOGL’s P/B Ratio of 5.91 is within the conventional range for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | GOOGL | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.23 | 12.27 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.61 | 1.91 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.91 | 1.42 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 36.77 | 16.66 |