RY vs. SAN: Royal Bank of Canada vs. Banco Santander Stock Comparison
How do Royal Bank of Canada (RY) and Banco Santander (SAN) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) and Banco Santander (SAN) are both classified in the Diversified Banks sub-industry within the broader Banks industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) trades as ordinary local shares, while Banco Santander (SAN) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | RY | SAN |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Royal Bank of Canada | Banco Santander, S.A. Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | Canada | Spain |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Industry | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Diversified Banks | Diversified Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 278.49 billion USD | 169.27 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 16, 1995 | July 30, 1987 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | RY | SAN |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 42.94% | 22.64% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 38.10% | 52.66% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 17.71% | 31.64% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | RY | SAN |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 17.09% | 35.78% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.78 | 0.71 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -28.69% | -40.82% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.25M | 11.52M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | RY | SAN |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 2.26 | 0.51 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 3.50 | 0.77 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) at 16.21% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Banco Santander (SAN) at 13.06% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for RY.
RY
Banks industry group
16.21%
- Max
- 19.84%
- RY
- 16.21%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- Median
- 11.49%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- Min
- 3.64%
SAN
Banks industry group
13.06%
- Max
- 19.84%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- SAN
- 13.06%
- Median
- 11.49%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- Min
- 3.64%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Royal Bank of Canada (RY) at 33.87% and Banco Santander (SAN) at 32.58% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
RY
Banks industry group
33.87%
- Max
- 47.19%
- Q3
- 35.25%
- RY
- 33.87%
- Median
- 31.21%
- Q1
- 27.11%
- Min
- 14.93%
SAN
Banks industry group
32.58%
- Max
- 47.19%
- Q3
- 35.25%
- SAN
- 32.58%
- Median
- 31.21%
- Q1
- 27.11%
- Min
- 14.93%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Neither side reports a meaningful operating margin: for Royal Bank of Canada (RY) in Banks and Banco Santander (SAN) in Banks, funding costs are part of the core business, so net margin and ROE are the cleaner profitability reads.
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | RY | SAN |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 16.21% | 13.06% |
| ROA (TTM) | 0.96% | 0.76% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 33.87% | 32.58% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) at 15.73% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Banco Santander (SAN) at -0.47% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.
EPS Growth
Only one side can be read here: Banco Santander (SAN) reports EPS growth of 17.19%, ranked against its industry; Royal Bank of Canada (RY) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | RY | SAN |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 15.73% | -0.47% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 10.90% | 3.45% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -- | 17.19% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | 18.78% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: Royal Bank of Canada (RY) in Banks and Banco Santander (SAN) in Banks both report balance sheets without a current/non-current split, so their short-term liquidity is better judged through regulatory and funding measures.
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
debt-to-equity ratio is set aside for both: Royal Bank of Canada (RY) in Banks and Banco Santander (SAN) in Banks run businesses where balance-sheet leverage is part of the model, so capital-adequacy and funding measures are the better gauges of balance-sheet risk.
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | RY | SAN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) at 3.23% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Banco Santander (SAN) at 2.10% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, RY the richer one.
RY
Banks industry group
3.23%
- Max
- 5.79%
- RY
- 3.23%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
SAN
Banks industry group
2.10%
- Max
- 5.79%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- SAN
- 2.10%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Banco Santander (SAN) at 25.91% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Royal Bank of Canada (RY) at 41.49% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.
RY
Banks industry group
41.49%
- Max
- 70.75%
- RY
- 41.49%
- Q3
- 41.28%
- Median
- 29.26%
- Q1
- 18.98%
- Min
- 0.00%
SAN
Banks industry group
25.91%
- Max
- 70.75%
- Q3
- 41.28%
- Median
- 29.26%
- SAN
- 25.91%
- Q1
- 18.98%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | RY | SAN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.23% | 2.10% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 41.49% | 25.91% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Banco Santander (SAN) at 11.08 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Royal Bank of Canada (RY) at 17.58 sits in the richer quartile — RY needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
RY
Banks industry group
17.58
- Max
- 18.16
- RY
- 17.58
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 11.81
- Q1
- 10.64
- Min
- 6.49
SAN
Banks industry group
11.08
- Max
- 18.16
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 11.81
- SAN
- 11.08
- Q1
- 10.64
- Min
- 6.49
P/S Ratio (TTM)
P/S ratio is set aside for both Royal Bank of Canada (RY) in Banks and Banco Santander (SAN) in Banks: without a conventional revenue line, pricing per dollar of sales isn’t meaningful, and book- or earnings-based multiples make the better comparison.
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Banco Santander (SAN) at 1.33 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Royal Bank of Canada (RY) at 2.92 prices above its benchmark range — RY looks rich relative to book.
RY
Banks industry group
2.92
- RY
- 2.92
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.58
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.59
SAN
Banks industry group
1.33
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.58
- SAN
- 1.33
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | RY | SAN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 17.58 | 11.08 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | -- | -- |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 2.92 | 1.33 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -- | -- |