KB vs. SPGI: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 28, 2025

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

Company Profile

KB trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, SPGI is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	KB	SPGI
Company Name	KB Financial Group Inc.	S&P Global Inc.
Country	South Korea	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Banks	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	28.66 billion USD	168.43 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	November 13, 2001	February 21, 1973
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of KB and SPGI 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	KB	SPGI
5-Day Price Return	0.82%	-0.49%
13-Week Price Return	14.06%	7.90%
26-Week Price Return	38.39%	1.66%
52-Week Price Return	8.71%	10.62%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.54%	0.11%
Year-to-Date Return	33.05%	10.77%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.85M	1.07M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.21M	1.15M
3-Month Volatility	41.24%	16.08%
Beta	0.97	1.23

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

KB

9.84%

Banks Industry

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

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.

SPGI

11.98%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 21.61%
Median: 13.77%
Q1: 8.31%
Min: -4.25%

SPGI’s Return on Equity of 11.98% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

KB vs. SPGI: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

KB

10.66%

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, 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.

SPGI

27.30%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 66.67%
Q3: 35.11%
Median: 23.49%
Q1: 13.63%
Min: -15.18%

SPGI’s Net Profit Margin of 27.30% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

KB vs. SPGI: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

KB

14.94%

Banks Industry

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

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.

SPGI

39.95%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 86.40%
Q3: 46.46%
Median: 32.80%
Q1: 18.32%
Min: -21.87%

SPGI’s Operating Profit Margin of 39.95% is around the midpoint for the Capital Markets industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

KB vs. SPGI: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	KB	SPGI
Return on Equity (TTM)	9.84%	11.98%
Return on Assets (TTM)	0.75%	6.66%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	10.66%	27.30%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	14.94%	39.95%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	62.19%

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.

SPGI

0.98

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.76
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.54
Min: -0.41

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

KB vs. SPGI: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

KB

2.44

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.

SPGI

0.34

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.62
Q3: 2.84
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.32
Min: 0.00

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

KB vs. SPGI: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

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.

SPGI

21.98

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 126.03
Q3: 60.98
Median: 11.77
Q1: 4.95
Min: -36.26

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

KB vs. SPGI: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	KB	SPGI
Current Ratio (MRQ)	--	0.98
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	--	0.98
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.44	0.34
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	--	21.98

Growth

Revenue Growth

KB vs. SPGI: 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

KB vs. SPGI: 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)

KB

3.09%

Banks Industry

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

KB’s Dividend Yield of 3.09% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SPGI

0.68%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.26%
Q3: 4.86%
Median: 2.78%
Q1: 1.22%
Min: 0.00%

SPGI’s Dividend Yield of 0.68% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

KB vs. SPGI: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

KB

30.54%

Banks Industry

Max: 147.07%
Q3: 80.55%
Median: 54.40%
Q1: 35.71%
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.

SPGI

28.68%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 200.72%
Q3: 101.92%
Median: 57.97%
Q1: 32.36%
Min: 0.00%

SPGI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.68% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

KB vs. SPGI: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	KB	SPGI
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.09%	0.68%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	30.54%	28.68%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

KB

6.95

Banks Industry

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

In the lower quartile for the Banks industry, KB’s P/E Ratio of 6.95 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

SPGI

42.37

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 58.89
Q3: 31.00
Median: 18.54
Q1: 12.09
Min: 5.24

A P/E Ratio of 42.37 places SPGI in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

KB vs. SPGI: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

KB

0.52

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.

SPGI

11.57

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.49
Q3: 7.41
Median: 4.68
Q1: 2.25
Min: 0.04

SPGI’s P/S Ratio of 11.57 is in the upper echelon for the Capital Markets industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

KB vs. SPGI: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

KB

0.71

Banks Industry

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

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.

SPGI

4.83

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.48
Q3: 4.94
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.21
Min: 0.38

SPGI’s P/B Ratio of 4.83 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets 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.

KB vs. SPGI: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	KB	SPGI
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	6.95	42.37
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.52	11.57
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	4.83
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	11.20	31.40