Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG) vs Discover Financial Services (DFS)

DFS leads on 14 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Discover Financial Services across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — AJG vs DFS

growth of $100 · last 18y
AJG +1077.7%DFS +595.8%AJG compounded faster
05001kStart $100201020132016201920222025$1,178$696
AJG DFS

AJG vs DFS: by the numbers

  • AJG is the larger company ($56.19B vs $50.34B market cap).
  • DFS trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.67 vs 35.33 P/E).
  • DFS converts more revenue to profit (21.65% vs 10.76% net margin).
  • AJG grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.44% vs 13.84% CAGR).
  • DFS pays the higher dividend yield (1.40% vs 1.23%).

Which is better, AJG or DFS?

Metric tally: AJG 2 · DFS 14

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricAJGDFS
P/E ratio35.3310.67
Forward P/E16.4612.59
P/S ratio3.792.28
P/B ratio2.392.66
PEG ratio5.580.15
EV / EBITDA14.446.75
FCF yield3.28%16.78%

Profitability

MetricAJGDFS
Gross margin65.99%65.86%
Operating margin18.17%34.55%
Net margin10.76%21.65%
ROE6.78%25.29%
ROIC5.25%32.48%

Dividends

MetricAJGDFS
Dividend yield1.23%1.40%
Payout ratio46.31%15.81%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAJGDFS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)15.44%13.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.33%14.26%
FCF CAGR (5Y)0.32%9.87%
Total return CAGR (5Y)9.76%42.63%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AJG or DFS?
It depends on your goal. value: DFS (lower P/E); growth: AJG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DFS (higher dividend yield); quality: DFS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DFS leads 14 to 2.
Is AJG or DFS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DFS is cheaper: AJG trades at a 35.33 P/E and DFS at 10.67.
Which has grown faster, AJG or DFS?
Over the past five years, AJG grew revenue faster — AJG at a 15.44% CAGR versus DFS at 13.84%.
Does AJG or DFS pay a bigger dividend?
AJG yields 1.23% and DFS yields 1.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AJG or DFS more profitable?
DFS runs the higher net margin — AJG at 10.76% versus DFS at 21.65%.
Which has been the better investment, AJG or DFS?
Over the past 10-year, AJG delivered the higher annualized total return — AJG at 18.24% 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 13, 2026.