Aflac Incorporated (AFL) vs Discover Financial Services (DFS)

DFS leads on 11 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Aflac Incorporated and Discover Financial Services across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AFL vs DFS

growth of $100 · last 18y
AFL +298.4%DFS +595.8%DFS compounded faster
0200400600Start $100201020132016201920222025$398$696
AFL DFS

AFL vs DFS: by the numbers

  • AFL is the larger company ($59.96B vs $50.34B market cap).
  • DFS trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.67 vs 13.45 P/E).
  • AFL converts more revenue to profit (25.44% vs 21.65% net margin).
  • DFS grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.84% vs -4.37% CAGR).
  • AFL pays the higher dividend yield (2.02% vs 1.40%).

Which is better, AFL or DFS?

Metric tally: AFL 2 · DFS 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDFS(lower P/E)
GrowthDFS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAFL(higher dividend yield)
QualityDFS(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAFLDFS
P/E ratio13.4510.67
Forward P/E16.6812.59
P/S ratio3.332.28
P/B ratio2.702.66
PEG ratio26.890.15

Profitability

MetricAFLDFS
Gross margin47.76%65.86%
Operating margin30.97%34.55%
Net margin25.44%21.65%
ROE20.66%25.29%
ROIC3.21%32.48%

Dividends

MetricAFLDFS
Dividend yield2.02%1.40%
Payout ratio34.69%15.81%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAFLDFS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-4.37%13.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.50%14.26%
Total return CAGR (5Y)18.59%42.63%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AFL or DFS?
It depends on your goal. value: DFS (lower P/E); growth: DFS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AFL (higher dividend yield); quality: DFS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DFS leads 11 to 2.
Is AFL or DFS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DFS is cheaper: AFL trades at a 13.45 P/E and DFS at 10.67.
Which has grown faster, AFL or DFS?
Over the past five years, DFS grew revenue faster — AFL at a -4.37% CAGR versus DFS at 13.84%.
Does AFL or DFS pay a bigger dividend?
AFL yields 2.02% and DFS yields 1.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AFL or DFS more profitable?
AFL runs the higher net margin — AFL at 25.44% versus DFS at 21.65%.
Which has been the better investment, AFL or DFS?
Over the past 10-year, AFL delivered the higher annualized total return — AFL at 15.72% versus DFS at 15.34%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 14, 2026.