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 12yKEY +70.0%SYF +219.0%SYF compounded faster
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 13It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueSYF(lower P/E)
GrowthSYF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKEY(higher dividend yield)
QualitySYF(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | KEY | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 13.93 | 7.59● |
| Forward P/E | 12.45 | 7.90● |
| P/S ratio | 2.19 | 1.27● |
| P/B ratio | 1.23● | 1.54 |
| PEG ratio | 3.84 | 1.02● |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.18 | 4.30● |
| FCF yield | 8.84% | 38.76%● |
Profitability
| Metric | KEY | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.18%● | 61.08% |
| Operating margin | 22.20% | 22.85%● |
| Net margin | 17.35% | 18.08%● |
| ROE | 9.74% | 21.85%● |
| ROIC | 5.83% | 9.36%● |
Dividends
| Metric | KEY | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.61%● | 1.64% |
| Payout ratio | 53.59% | 12.83% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | KEY | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
KEY & SYF appear in these rankings
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.