KeyCorp (KEY) vs Synchrony Financial (SYF)

SYF leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of KeyCorp and Synchrony Financial 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 — KEY vs SYF

growth of $100 · last 12y
KEY +70.0%SYF +219.0%SYF compounded faster
100200300400Start $100201620182020202220242026$170$319
KEY SYF

KEY vs SYF: by the numbers

  • SYF is the larger company ($24.68B vs $24.61B market cap).
  • SYF trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.59 vs 13.93 P/E).
  • SYF converts more revenue to profit (18.08% vs 17.35% net margin).
  • SYF grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.42% vs 9.18% CAGR).
  • KEY pays the higher dividend yield (3.61% vs 1.64%).

Which is better, KEY or SYF?

Metric tally: KEY 4 · SYF 13

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueSYF(lower P/E)
GrowthSYF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKEY(higher dividend yield)
QualitySYF(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricKEYSYF
P/E ratio13.937.59
Forward P/E12.457.90
P/S ratio2.191.27
P/B ratio1.231.54
PEG ratio3.841.02
EV / EBITDA16.184.30
FCF yield8.84%38.76%

Profitability

MetricKEYSYF
Gross margin64.18%61.08%
Operating margin22.20%22.85%
Net margin17.35%18.08%
ROE9.74%21.85%
ROIC5.83%9.36%

Dividends

MetricKEYSYF
Dividend yield3.61%1.64%
Payout ratio53.59%12.83%

Growth (annualized)

MetricKEYSYF
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.18%10.42%
EPS CAGR (5Y)3.63%32.61%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.65%4.77%
Total return CAGR (5Y)5.71%10.68%

Frequently asked

Which is better, KEY or SYF?
It depends on your goal. value: SYF (lower P/E); growth: SYF (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KEY (higher dividend yield); quality: SYF (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SYF leads 13 to 4.
Is KEY or SYF cheaper?
On trailing earnings, SYF is cheaper: KEY trades at a 13.93 P/E and SYF at 7.59.
Which has grown faster, KEY or SYF?
Over the past five years, SYF grew revenue faster — KEY at a 9.18% CAGR versus SYF at 10.42%.
Does KEY or SYF pay a bigger dividend?
KEY yields 3.61% and SYF yields 1.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is KEY or SYF more profitable?
SYF runs the higher net margin — KEY at 17.35% versus SYF at 18.08%.
Which has been the better investment, KEY or SYF?
Over the past 10-year, SYF delivered the higher annualized total return — KEY at 10.88% versus SYF at 11.66%. 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.