KB vs. KEP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at KB and KEP, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
Both KB and KEP are American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This provides U.S. investors with straightforward access to investing in these foreign-listed companies.
| Symbol | KB | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | KB Financial Group Inc. | Korea Electric Power Corporation |
| Country | South Korea | South Korea |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Banks | Electric Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 30.34 billion USD | 16.34 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 13, 2001 | October 27, 1994 |
| Security Type | ADR | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of KB and KEP 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 | KB | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.64% | -1.93% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -0.09% | -1.11% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 45.64% | 59.19% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 8.71% | -7.95% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.13% | -1.53% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 40.89% | 77.06% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.78M | 1.73M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.16M | 4.35M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 37.40% | 36.82% |
| Beta | 0.60 | 0.28 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
KB
9.84%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 25.40%
- Q3
- 15.55%
- Median
- 12.00%
- Q1
- 8.98%
- Min
- -0.10%
KB’s Return on Equity of 9.84% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
KEP
15.57%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.46%
- Q3
- 14.70%
- Median
- 10.64%
- Q1
- 6.99%
- Min
- 0.02%
In the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Return on Equity of 15.57% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
KB
10.66%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 54.20%
- Q3
- 35.73%
- Median
- 28.97%
- Q1
- 22.56%
- Min
- 6.98%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Banks industry, KB’s Net Profit Margin of 10.66% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
KEP
6.78%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.56%
- Q3
- 16.54%
- Median
- 11.20%
- Q1
- 7.30%
- Min
- 0.01%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Net Profit Margin of 6.78% 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)
KB
14.94%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 63.35%
- Q3
- 44.73%
- Median
- 37.24%
- Q1
- 28.25%
- Min
- 12.28%
KB’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.94% 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.
KEP
12.54%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 38.77%
- Q3
- 25.54%
- Median
- 18.87%
- Q1
- 14.12%
- Min
- 0.02%
KEP’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.54% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | KB | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.84% | 15.57% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.75% | 2.56% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.66% | 6.78% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.94% | 12.54% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | -19.73% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
KB
--
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.
KEP
0.46
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.23
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.13
KEP’s Current Ratio of 0.46 falls into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
KB
2.44
Banks Industry
- Max
- 5.78
- Q3
- 2.66
- Median
- 1.05
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.
KEP
3.18
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.72
- Q3
- 1.90
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 0.62
- Min
- 0.00
KEP’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.18. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
KB
--
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.
KEP
2.57
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 9.89
- Median
- 3.33
- Q1
- 2.62
- Min
- -3.31
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.57 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | KB | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | 0.46 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | -- | 0.29 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.44 | 3.18 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 2.57 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
KB
2.90%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 11.03%
- Q3
- 6.00%
- Median
- 3.87%
- Q1
- 2.41%
- Min
- 0.00%
KB’s Dividend Yield of 2.90% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
KEP
1.12%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.61%
- Q3
- 4.66%
- Median
- 3.55%
- Q1
- 2.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
KEP’s Dividend Yield of 1.12% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
KB
30.54%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 134.24%
- Q3
- 79.39%
- Median
- 55.09%
- Q1
- 36.09%
- Min
- 0.00%
KB’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.54% 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.
KEP
6.37%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 140.33%
- Q3
- 84.46%
- Median
- 60.94%
- Q1
- 31.83%
- Min
- 0.00%
KEP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 6.37% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | KB | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.90% | 1.12% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 30.54% | 6.37% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
KB
7.42
Banks Industry
- Max
- 22.69
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 10.32
- Q1
- 7.73
- Min
- 2.59
In the lower quartile for the Banks industry, KB’s P/E Ratio of 7.42 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
KEP
3.60
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 34.39
- Q3
- 21.23
- Median
- 15.47
- Q1
- 10.17
- Min
- 3.08
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s P/E Ratio of 3.60 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
KB
0.52
Banks Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- 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.
KEP
0.24
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.03
- Q3
- 3.06
- Median
- 1.89
- Q1
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s P/S Ratio of 0.24 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
KB
0.71
Banks Industry
- Max
- 2.09
- Q3
- 1.40
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.29
KB’s P/B Ratio of 0.71 is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
KEP
0.59
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.97
- Q3
- 1.86
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.27
KEP’s P/B Ratio of 0.59 is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | KB | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 7.42 | 3.60 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.52 | 0.24 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.71 | 0.59 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 11.96 | 4.73 |