Financial - Mortgages
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Stock Comparison
LDI vs WAL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Banks - Regional
LDI vs WAL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Financial - Mortgages | Banks - Regional |
| Market Cap | $469M | $9.16B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.54B | $5.28B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-63M | $969M |
| Gross Margin | 88.3% | 61.1% |
| Operating Margin | 13.2% | 22.9% |
| Forward P/E | 13.0x | 8.7x |
| Total Debt | $5.04B | $6.48B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $337M | $3.60B |
LDI vs WAL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Feb 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| loanDepot, Inc. (LDI) | 100 | 7.2 | -92.8% |
| Western Alliance Ba… (WAL) | 100 | 91.1 | -8.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LDI vs WAL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
LDI is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 37.6%, EPS growth 43.4%
- 37.6% NII/revenue growth vs WAL's 5.2%
- +37.3% vs WAL's +19.4%
WAL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 7 yrs, beta 1.72, yield 2.0%
- 168.4% 10Y total return vs LDI's -89.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.72, Low D/E 81.5%, current ratio 0.17x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 37.6% NII/revenue growth vs WAL's 5.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (8.7x vs 13.0x) | |
| Quality / Margins | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs LDI's 0.8% (lower = leaner) | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.72 vs LDI's 2.11, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 2.0% yield, 7-year raise streak, vs LDI's 0.8% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +37.3% vs WAL's +19.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs LDI's 0.8% |
LDI vs WAL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
LDI vs WAL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LDI leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WAL is the larger business by revenue, generating $5.3B annually — 3.4x LDI's $1.5B. WAL is the more profitable business, keeping 18.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to LDI's -4.1%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.5B | $5.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$2M | $1.3B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$63M | $969M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$735M | -$2.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +88.3% | +61.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +13.2% | +22.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -4.1% | +18.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -47.8% | -52.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +41.2% | +32.8% |
Valuation Metrics
LDI leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, WAL's 10.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LDI's 22.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $469M | $9.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.2B | $12.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -4.67x | 9.55x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 13.02x | 8.67x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.82x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 22.53x | 9.97x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.31x | 1.74x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.77x | 1.15x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
WAL leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WAL delivers a 12.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $-15 for LDI. WAL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.82x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LDI's 13.05x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WAL scores 5/9 vs LDI's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -14.5% | +12.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -1.0% | +1.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.7% | +6.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.2% | +10.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 13.05x | 0.82x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $4.7B | $2.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $337M | $3.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $5.0B | $6.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.11x | 0.66x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
WAL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in WAL five years ago would be worth $8,568 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,011 for LDI. Over the past 12 months, LDI leads with a +37.3% total return vs WAL's +19.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WAL at 47.6% vs LDI's -6.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -33.0% | -2.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +37.3% | +19.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -17.6% | +221.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -89.9% | -14.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -89.4% | +168.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -6.3% | +47.6% |
Risk & Volatility
WAL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WAL is the less volatile stock with a 1.72 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LDI's 2.11 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WAL currently trades 85.7% from its 52-week high vs LDI's 27.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.11x | 1.72x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $5.05 | $97.23 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.02 | $65.81 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +27.7% | +85.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 44.4 | 61.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.2M | 1.3M |
Analyst Outlook
WAL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates LDI as "Hold" and WAL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 48.6% upside for LDI (target: $2) vs 5.4% for WAL (target: $88). For income investors, WAL offers the higher dividend yield at 2.03% vs LDI's 0.83%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $2.08 | $87.83 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 12 | 24 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.8% | +2.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 7 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.01 | $1.69 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.0% | +0.8% |
WAL leads in 4 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). LDI leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics).
LDI vs WAL: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LDI or WAL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, loanDepot, Inc.
(LDI) is the stronger pick with 37. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 2% for Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL). Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) offers the better valuation at 9. 5x trailing P/E (8. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) a "Buy" — based on 24 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.
02Which has the better valuation — LDI or WAL?
On forward P/E, Western Alliance Bancorporation is actually cheaper at 8.
7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — LDI or WAL?
Over the past 5 years, Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) delivered a total return of -14.
3%, compared to -89. 9% for loanDepot, Inc. (LDI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WAL returned +168. 4% versus LDI's -89. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — LDI or WAL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
72β versus loanDepot, Inc. 's 2. 11β — meaning LDI is approximately 23% more volatile than WAL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 82% versus 13% for loanDepot, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — LDI or WAL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), loanDepot, Inc.
(LDI) is pulling ahead at 37. 6% versus 5. 2% for Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: loanDepot, Inc. grew EPS 43. 4% year-over-year, compared to 23. 1% for Western Alliance Bancorporation. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — LDI or WAL?
Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) is the more profitable company, earning 18.
4% net margin versus -4. 1% for loanDepot, Inc. — meaning it keeps 18. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WAL leads at 22. 9% versus 13. 2% for LDI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LDI leads at 88. 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.
07Is LDI or WAL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) trades at 8.
7x forward P/E versus 13. 0x for loanDepot, Inc. — 4. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LDI: 48. 6% to $2. 08.
08Which pays a better dividend — LDI or WAL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 0. 8% for loanDepot, Inc. (LDI).
09Is LDI or WAL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (2.
0% yield, +168. 4% 10Y return). loanDepot, Inc. (LDI) carries a higher beta of 2. 11 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (WAL: +168. 4%, LDI: -89. 4%), 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.
10What are the main differences between LDI and WAL?
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: LDI is a small-cap high-growth stock; WAL 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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.