ING vs BBVA

For growth investors, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.

A. (BBVA) is the stronger pick with 4. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -65. 3% for ING Groep N. V. (ING). Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S. A. (BBVA) offers the better valuation at 11. 2x trailing P/E (10. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate ING Groep N. V. (ING) a "Buy" — based on 17 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.

A. (BBVA) is the cheapest at 11. 2x versus ING Groep N. V. at 12. 0x. On forward P/E, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S. A. is actually cheaper at 10. 9x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S. A. wins at 0. 17x versus ING Groep N. V. 's 0. 46x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.

A. (BBVA) delivered a total return of +335. 3%, compared to +173. 1% for ING Groep N. V. (ING). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BBVA returned +314. 4% versus ING's +228. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), ING Groep N.

V. (ING) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 13β versus Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S. A. 's 1. 28β — meaning BBVA is approximately 13% more volatile than ING relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S. A. (BBVA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 132% versus 3% for ING Groep N. V. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.

A. (BBVA) is pulling ahead at 4. 1% versus -65. 3% for ING Groep N. V. (ING). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: ING Groep N. V. grew EPS 28. 5% year-over-year, compared to 0. 6% for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S. A.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.

A. (BBVA) is the more profitable company, earning 28. 5% net margin versus 27. 5% for ING Groep N. V. — meaning it keeps 28. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BBVA leads at 43. 9% versus 39. 7% for ING. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ING leads at 94. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S. A. (BBVA) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 17x versus ING Groep N. V. 's 0. 46x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S. A. (BBVA) trades at 10. 9x forward P/E versus 12. 5x for ING Groep N. V. — 1. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

In this comparison, BBVA (3.

6% yield) pays a dividend. ING does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.

A. (BBVA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 28), 3. 6% yield, +314. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (BBVA: +314. 4%, ING: +228. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

BBVA pays a dividend while ING does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.