Discover Financial Services (DFS) vs State Street Corporation (STT)

DFS leads on 11 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Discover Financial Services and State Street Corporation 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 — DFS vs STT

growth of $100 · last 18y
DFS +595.8%STT +42.9%DFS compounded faster
0200400600Start $100201020132016201920222025$696$143
DFS STT

DFS vs STT: by the numbers

  • DFS is the larger company ($50.34B vs $46.39B market cap).
  • DFS trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.67 vs 17.02 P/E).
  • DFS converts more revenue to profit (21.65% vs 13.47% net margin).
  • STT grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.10% vs 13.84% CAGR).
  • STT pays the higher dividend yield (1.96% vs 1.40%).

Which is better, DFS or STT?

Metric tally: DFS 11 · STT 3

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDFS(lower P/E)
IncomeSTT(higher dividend yield)
QualityDFS(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricDFSSTT
P/E ratio10.6717.02
Forward P/E12.5913.49
P/S ratio2.282.08
P/B ratio2.661.71
PEG ratio0.150.85
EV / EBITDA6.75
FCF yield16.78%

Profitability

MetricDFSSTT
Gross margin65.86%63.27%
Operating margin34.55%17.05%
Net margin21.65%13.47%
ROE25.29%11.05%
ROIC32.48%3.21%

Dividends

MetricDFSSTT
Dividend yield1.40%1.96%
Payout ratio15.81%34.35%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDFSSTT
Revenue CAGR (5Y)13.84%14.10%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.26%8.34%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.87%-1.69%
Total return CAGR (5Y)42.63%18.62%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DFS or STT?
It depends on your goal. value: DFS (lower P/E); income: STT (higher dividend yield); quality: DFS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DFS leads 11 to 3.
Is DFS or STT cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DFS is cheaper: DFS trades at a 10.67 P/E and STT at 17.02.
Which has grown faster, DFS or STT?
Over the past five years, STT grew revenue faster — DFS at a 13.84% CAGR versus STT at 14.10%.
Does DFS or STT pay a bigger dividend?
DFS yields 1.40% and STT yields 1.96% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DFS or STT more profitable?
DFS runs the higher net margin — DFS at 21.65% versus STT at 13.47%.
Which has been the better investment, DFS or STT?
Over the past 10-year, DFS delivered the higher annualized total return — DFS at 15.34% versus STT at 14.20%. 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.