PRU vs. WFC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at PRU and WFC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | PRU | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Prudential Financial, Inc. | Wells Fargo & Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry | Insurance | Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 37.44 billion USD | 270.28 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 13, 2001 | June 1, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of PRU 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 | PRU | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.87% | -1.18% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.62% | 10.97% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 5.70% | 17.66% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -13.63% | 23.32% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.88% | -1.00% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.73% | 22.58% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.91M | 14.98M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.60M | 15.65M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.79% | 26.52% |
| Beta | 0.98 | 1.12 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
PRU
8.68%
Insurance Industry
- Max
- 30.96%
- Q3
- 18.76%
- Median
- 14.22%
- Q1
- 10.34%
- Min
- 1.73%
PRU’s Return on Equity of 8.68% is in the lower quartile for the Insurance industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
WFC
11.66%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 25.40%
- Q3
- 15.55%
- Median
- 12.00%
- Q1
- 8.98%
- Min
- -0.10%
WFC’s Return on Equity of 11.66% 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)
PRU
4.88%
Insurance Industry
- Max
- 26.78%
- Q3
- 14.69%
- Median
- 9.87%
- Q1
- 6.59%
- Min
- -3.51%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Insurance industry, PRU’s Net Profit Margin of 4.88% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
WFC
22.19%
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, 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)
PRU
6.15%
Insurance Industry
- Max
- 34.52%
- Q3
- 20.17%
- Median
- 14.46%
- Q1
- 9.62%
- Min
- -2.51%
In the Insurance industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.
WFC
25.35%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 63.35%
- Q3
- 44.73%
- Median
- 37.24%
- Q1
- 28.25%
- Min
- 12.28%
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 | PRU | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 8.68% | 11.66% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.35% | 1.06% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.88% | 22.19% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.15% | 25.35% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
PRU
--
Insurance Industry
- Max
- 2.97
- Q3
- 1.37
- Median
- 0.54
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
For the Insurance industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
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)
PRU
0.69
Insurance Industry
- Max
- 1.25
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.34
- Q1
- 0.23
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Insurance industry.
WFC
2.25
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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
PRU
--
Insurance Industry
- Max
- 43.68
- Q3
- 21.45
- Median
- 9.67
- Q1
- 3.55
- Min
- -5.73
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Insurance industry.
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 | PRU | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.69 | 2.25 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
PRU
5.16%
Insurance Industry
- Max
- 9.80%
- Q3
- 5.18%
- Median
- 3.58%
- Q1
- 2.07%
- Min
- 0.00%
PRU’s Dividend Yield of 5.16% is consistent with its peers in the Insurance industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
WFC
2.36%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 11.03%
- Q3
- 6.00%
- Median
- 3.87%
- Q1
- 2.41%
- Min
- 0.00%
WFC’s Dividend Yield of 2.36% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
PRU
54.32%
Insurance Industry
- Max
- 169.40%
- Q3
- 85.57%
- Median
- 53.26%
- Q1
- 23.68%
- Min
- 0.00%
PRU’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 54.32% is within the typical range for the Insurance industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
WFC
31.00%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 134.24%
- Q3
- 79.39%
- Median
- 55.09%
- Q1
- 36.09%
- 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 | PRU | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 5.16% | 2.36% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 54.32% | 31.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
PRU
14.22
Insurance Industry
- Max
- 30.75
- Q3
- 18.11
- Median
- 12.67
- Q1
- 9.66
- Min
- 2.87
PRU’s P/E Ratio of 14.22 is within the middle range for the Insurance 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
12.83
Banks Industry
- Max
- 22.69
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 10.32
- Q1
- 7.73
- Min
- 2.59
WFC’s P/E Ratio of 12.83 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)
PRU
0.69
Insurance Industry
- Max
- 3.41
- Q3
- 1.88
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 0.80
- Min
- 0.23
In the lower quartile for the Insurance industry, PRU’s P/S Ratio of 0.69 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.
WFC
1.91
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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
PRU
1.14
Insurance Industry
- Max
- 4.57
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.88
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.17
PRU’s P/B Ratio of 1.14 is in the lower quartile for the Insurance 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.
WFC
1.46
Banks Industry
- Max
- 2.09
- Q3
- 1.40
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.29
WFC’s P/B Ratio of 1.46 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 | PRU | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 14.22 | 12.83 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.69 | 1.91 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.14 | 1.46 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 4.78 | 17.82 |
