NU vs. SMFG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 26, 2025

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

Company Profile

NU is a standard domestic listing, while SMFG trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	NU	SMFG
Company Name	Nu Holdings Ltd.	Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
Country	Brazil	Japan
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Banks	Banks
Market Capitalization	68.76 billion USD	108.26 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	December 9, 2021	January 27, 2006
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NU and SMFG 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NU	SMFG
5-Day Price Return	8.46%	0.68%
13-Week Price Return	16.16%	14.57%
26-Week Price Return	5.56%	8.97%
52-Week Price Return	0.14%	58.60%
Month-to-Date Return	16.45%	7.50%
Year-to-Date Return	37.36%	10.10%
10-Day Avg. Volume	67.76M	14.06M
3-Month Avg. Volume	60.45M	13.00M
3-Month Volatility	43.55%	24.05%
Beta	1.07	1.44

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

NU

27.49%

Banks Industry

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

NU’s Return on Equity of 27.49% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Banks industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

SMFG

7.91%

Banks Industry

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

SMFG’s Return on Equity of 7.91% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

NU vs. SMFG: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

NU

17.90%

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, NU’s Net Profit Margin of 17.90% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

SMFG

19.05%

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, SMFG’s Net Profit Margin of 19.05% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

NU vs. SMFG: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

NU

24.64%

Banks Industry

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

NU’s Operating Profit Margin of 24.64% 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.

SMFG

25.28%

Banks Industry

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

SMFG’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.28% 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.

NU vs. SMFG: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NU	SMFG
Return on Equity (TTM)	27.49%	7.91%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.27%	0.39%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	17.90%	19.05%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	24.64%	25.28%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	43.42%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

NU

0.18

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.

SMFG

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.

NU vs. SMFG: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

NU

4.18

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.

SMFG

4.30

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.

NU vs. SMFG: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

NU

-0.91

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.

SMFG

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.

NU vs. SMFG: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NU	SMFG
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.18	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.18	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	4.18	4.30
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-0.91	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

NU vs. SMFG: 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

NU vs. SMFG: 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)

NU

0.00%

Banks Industry

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

NU currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

SMFG

2.58%

Banks Industry

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

SMFG’s Dividend Yield of 2.58% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NU vs. SMFG: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

NU

0.00%

Banks Industry

Max: 147.07%
Q3: 80.55%
Median: 54.40%
Q1: 35.71%
Min: 0.00%

NU has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

SMFG

104.11%

Banks Industry

Max: 147.07%
Q3: 80.55%
Median: 54.40%
Q1: 35.71%
Min: 0.00%

SMFG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 104.11% is in the upper quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

NU vs. SMFG: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NU	SMFG
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	2.58%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	104.11%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NU

28.53

Banks Industry

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

At 28.53, NU’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Banks industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

SMFG

13.56

Banks Industry

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

A P/E Ratio of 13.56 places SMFG in the upper quartile for the Banks industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

NU vs. SMFG: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NU

5.11

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.

SMFG

2.32

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.

NU vs. SMFG: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

NU

6.90

Banks Industry

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

At 6.90, NU’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Banks 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.

SMFG

1.00

Banks Industry

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

SMFG’s P/B Ratio of 1.00 is within the conventional range for the Banks 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.

NU vs. SMFG: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NU	SMFG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	28.53	13.56
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.11	2.32
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	6.90	1.00
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	13.78	3.47