ASBA vs WSFS

For growth investors, WSFS Financial Corporation (WSFS) is the stronger pick with -3.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 6% for Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA). WSFS Financial Corporation (WSFS) offers the better valuation at 14. 2x trailing P/E (11. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate WSFS Financial Corporation (WSFS) a "Hold" — based on 13 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, WSFS Financial Corporation (WSFS) is the cheapest at 14.

2x versus Associated Banc-Corp at 31. 3x.

Over the past 5 years, WSFS Financial Corporation (WSFS) delivered a total return of +43.

1%, compared to +19. 4% for Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WSFS returned +129. 0% versus ASBA's +19. 4%. 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), Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

18β versus WSFS Financial Corporation's 0. 89β — meaning WSFS is approximately 383% more volatile than ASBA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, WSFS Financial Corporation (WSFS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 11% versus 17% for Associated Banc-Corp — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), WSFS Financial Corporation (WSFS) is pulling ahead at -3.

1% versus -6. 6% for Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: WSFS Financial Corporation grew EPS 15. 4% year-over-year, compared to -29. 2% for Associated Banc-Corp. 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.

WSFS Financial Corporation (WSFS) is the more profitable company, earning 21.

1% net margin versus 12. 9% for Associated Banc-Corp — meaning it keeps 21. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WSFS leads at 28. 0% versus 24. 6% for ASBA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ASBA leads at 100. 0%, 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.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA) offers the highest yield at 3. 6%, versus 0. 9% for WSFS Financial Corporation (WSFS).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

18), 3. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ASBA: +19. 4%, WSFS: +129. 0%), 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.

In terms of investment character: ASBA is a small-cap income-oriented stock; WSFS is a small-cap deep-value stock. 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.