Discover Financial Services (DFS) vs Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB)

DFS leads on 11 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Discover Financial Services and Fifth Third Bancorp across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 27, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — DFS vs FITB

growth of $100 · last 18y
DFS +595.8%FITB -6.8%DFS compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1101001kStart $100201020132016201920222025$696$93
DFS FITB

DFS vs FITB: by the numbers

  • FITB is the larger company ($51.03B vs $50.34B market cap).
  • DFS trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.67 vs 18.90 P/E).
  • DFS converts more revenue to profit (21.65% vs 15.91% net margin).
  • DFS grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.84% vs 11.54% CAGR).
  • FITB pays the higher dividend yield (2.84% vs 1.40%).

Which is better, DFS or FITB?

Metric tally: DFS 11 · FITB 2

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDFSFITB
P/E ratio10.6718.90
Forward P/E12.5918.38
P/S ratio2.283.42
P/B ratio2.661.37
PEG ratio0.151.07

Profitability

MetricDFSFITB
Gross margin89.46%66.60%
Operating margin88.29%20.24%
Net margin21.65%15.91%
ROE25.29%6.37%
ROIC32.48%8.90%

Dividends

MetricDFSFITB
Dividend yield1.40%2.84%
Payout ratio15.81%45.07%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDFSFITB
Revenue CAGR (5Y)13.84%11.54%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.26%14.05%
Total return CAGR (5Y)42.63%11.42%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DFS or FITB?
It depends on your goal. value: DFS (lower P/E); growth: DFS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FITB (higher dividend yield); quality: DFS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DFS leads 11 to 2.
Is DFS or FITB cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DFS is cheaper: DFS trades at a 10.67 P/E and FITB at 18.90.
Which has grown faster, DFS or FITB?
Over the past five years, DFS grew revenue faster — DFS at a 13.84% CAGR versus FITB at 11.54%.
Does DFS or FITB pay a bigger dividend?
DFS yields 1.40% and FITB yields 2.84% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DFS or FITB more profitable?
DFS runs the higher net margin — DFS at 21.65% versus FITB at 15.91%.
Which has been the better investment, DFS or FITB?
Over the past 10-year, FITB delivered the higher annualized total return — DFS at 15.34% versus FITB at 16.38%. 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 27, 2026.