SAN vs. USB: Banco Santander vs. U.S. Bancorp Stock Comparison
How do Banco Santander (SAN) and U.S. Bancorp (USB) 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
Banco Santander (SAN) and U.S. Bancorp (USB) are both classified in the Diversified Banks sub-industry within the broader Banks industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
U.S. Bancorp (USB) 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 | SAN | USB |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Banco Santander, S.A. Sponsored ADR | U.S. Bancorp |
| Country/Region | Spain | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Industry | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Diversified Banks | Diversified Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 169.27 billion USD | 92.64 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 30, 1987 | May 3, 1973 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | SAN | USB |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 22.64% | 34.87% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 52.66% | 27.22% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 31.64% | 4.97% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | SAN | USB |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 35.78% | 22.72% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.71 | 0.99 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -40.82% | -52.13% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 11.52M | 7.25M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | SAN | USB |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.51 | 1.35 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.77 | 1.98 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Banco Santander (SAN) at 13.06% and U.S. Bancorp (USB) at 12.84% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
SAN
Banks industry group
13.06%
- Max
- 19.84%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- SAN
- 13.06%
- Median
- 11.49%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- Min
- 3.64%
USB
Banks industry group
12.84%
- Max
- 19.84%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- USB
- 12.84%
- Median
- 11.49%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- Min
- 3.64%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Banco Santander (SAN) at 32.58% and U.S. Bancorp (USB) at 30.01% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
SAN
Banks industry group
32.58%
- Max
- 47.19%
- Q3
- 35.25%
- SAN
- 32.58%
- Median
- 31.21%
- Q1
- 27.11%
- Min
- 14.93%
USB
Banks industry group
30.01%
- Max
- 47.19%
- Q3
- 35.25%
- Median
- 31.21%
- USB
- 30.01%
- Q1
- 27.11%
- Min
- 14.93%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Neither side reports a meaningful operating margin: for Banco Santander (SAN) in Banks and U.S. Bancorp (USB) in Banks, funding costs are part of the core business, so net margin and ROE are the cleaner profitability reads.
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | SAN | USB |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 13.06% | 12.84% |
| ROA (TTM) | 0.76% | 1.20% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 32.58% | 30.01% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Banco Santander (SAN) at -0.47% and U.S. Bancorp (USB) at 4.41% post bottom-quartile revenue growth versus peers, pointing to weaker demand or pricing momentum than typical rivals.
EPS Growth
Both Banco Santander (SAN) at 17.19% and U.S. Bancorp (USB) at 21.90% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | SAN | USB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | -0.47% | 4.41% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 3.45% | 5.68% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 17.19% | 21.90% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 18.78% | 7.78% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: Banco Santander (SAN) in Banks and U.S. Bancorp (USB) 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: Banco Santander (SAN) in Banks and U.S. Bancorp (USB) 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 | SAN | USB |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
U.S. Bancorp (USB) at 3.51% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Banco Santander (SAN) at 2.10% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, USB the richer one.
SAN
Banks industry group
2.10%
- Max
- 5.79%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- SAN
- 2.10%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
USB
Banks industry group
3.51%
- Max
- 5.79%
- USB
- 3.51%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Banco Santander (SAN) at 25.91% and U.S. Bancorp (USB) at 40.86% keep payout ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges — dividend policies that share earnings without consuming too much of them.
SAN
Banks industry group
25.91%
- Max
- 70.75%
- Q3
- 41.28%
- Median
- 29.26%
- SAN
- 25.91%
- Q1
- 18.98%
- Min
- 0.00%
USB
Banks industry group
40.86%
- Max
- 70.75%
- Q3
- 41.28%
- USB
- 40.86%
- Median
- 29.26%
- Q1
- 18.98%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | SAN | USB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.10% | 3.51% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 25.91% | 40.86% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Banco Santander (SAN) at 11.08 and U.S. Bancorp (USB) at 11.57 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.
SAN
Banks industry group
11.08
- Max
- 18.16
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 11.81
- SAN
- 11.08
- Q1
- 10.64
- Min
- 6.49
USB
Banks industry group
11.57
- Max
- 18.16
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 11.81
- USB
- 11.57
- Q1
- 10.64
- Min
- 6.49
P/S Ratio (TTM)
P/S ratio is set aside for both Banco Santander (SAN) in Banks and U.S. Bancorp (USB) 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)
On P/B ratio, both Banco Santander (SAN) at 1.33 and U.S. Bancorp (USB) at 1.55 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.
SAN
Banks industry group
1.33
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.58
- SAN
- 1.33
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.59
USB
Banks industry group
1.55
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.58
- USB
- 1.55
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | SAN | USB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 11.08 | 11.57 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | -- | -- |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 1.33 | 1.55 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -- | -- |