Financial - Capital Markets
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LGHL vs PFSI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Financial - Mortgages
LGHL vs PFSI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Financial - Capital Markets | Financial - Mortgages |
| Market Cap | $168K | $4.62B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $-31M | $4.36B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-41M | $507M |
| Gross Margin | 119.5% | 91.4% |
| Operating Margin | 169.8% | 34.6% |
| Forward P/E | — | 7.2x |
| Total Debt | $5M | $23.06B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $17M | $302M |
LGHL vs PFSI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lion Group Holding … (LGHL) | 100 | 0.0 | -100.0% |
| PennyMac Financial … (PFSI) | 100 | 264.0 | +164.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LGHL vs PFSI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
LGHL is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 2.04, Low D/E 64.3%, current ratio 0.67x
- Better valuation composite
- 87.7% margin vs PFSI's 11.5%
PFSI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.93, yield 1.3%
- Rev growth 173.8%, EPS growth 59.2%
- 6.0% 10Y total return vs LGHL's -100.0%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 173.8% NII/revenue growth vs LGHL's -278.8% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 87.7% margin vs PFSI's 11.5% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.93 vs LGHL's 2.04 | |
| Dividends | 1.3% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | -8.0% vs LGHL's -99.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 1.8% ROA vs LGHL's -79.2%, ROIC 4.4% vs -187.3% |
LGHL vs PFSI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
LGHL vs PFSI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LGHL leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PFSI and LGHL operate at a comparable scale, with $4.4B and -$31M in trailing revenue. LGHL is the more profitable business, keeping 87.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to PFSI's 11.5%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | -$31M | $4.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$56M | $1.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$41M | $507M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$19M | -$3.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +119.5% | +91.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +169.8% | +34.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +87.7% | +11.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +61.1% | -32.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -74.4% | +7.7% |
Valuation Metrics
LGHL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $168,280 | $4.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | -$12M | $27.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.01x | 9.53x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 7.17x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 18.11x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 1.06x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.02x | 1.11x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
PFSI leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PFSI delivers a 12.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $-3 for LGHL. LGHL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.64x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PFSI's 5.35x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PFSI scores 4/9 vs LGHL's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.6% | +12.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -79.2% | +1.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -187.3% | +4.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -2.7% | +10.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.64x | 5.35x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$12M | $22.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $17M | $302M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $5M | $23.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -55.08x | 1.35x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
PFSI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PFSI five years ago would be worth $16,366 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $0 for LGHL. Over the past 12 months, PFSI leads with a -8.0% total return vs LGHL's -99.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors PFSI at 16.8% vs LGHL's -96.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -94.6% | -32.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -99.6% | -8.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | +59.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | +63.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | +603.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -96.9% | +16.8% |
Risk & Volatility
PFSI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PFSI is the less volatile stock with a 0.93 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LGHL's 2.04 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PFSI currently trades 55.3% from its 52-week high vs LGHL's 0.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.04x | 0.93x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $377.52 | $160.36 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.75 | $82.67 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +0.2% | +55.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 21.1 | 40.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 32K | 604K |
Analyst Outlook
PFSI leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
PFSI is the only dividend payer here at 1.31% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $143.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 20 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $1.16 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.1% |
PFSI leads in 4 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). LGHL leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics).
LGHL vs PFSI: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LGHL or PFSI a better buy right now?
For growth investors, PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
(PFSI) is the stronger pick with 173. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -278. 8% for Lion Group Holding Ltd. (LGHL). PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (PFSI) offers the better valuation at 9. 5x trailing P/E (7. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (PFSI) a "Buy" — based on 20 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 is the better long-term investment — LGHL or PFSI?
Over the past 5 years, PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
(PFSI) delivered a total return of +63. 7%, compared to -100. 0% for Lion Group Holding Ltd. (LGHL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PFSI returned +603. 4% versus LGHL's -100. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — LGHL or PFSI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
(PFSI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 93β versus Lion Group Holding Ltd. 's 2. 04β — meaning LGHL is approximately 120% more volatile than PFSI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Lion Group Holding Ltd. (LGHL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 64% versus 5% for PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — LGHL or PFSI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
(PFSI) is pulling ahead at 173. 8% versus -278. 8% for Lion Group Holding Ltd. (LGHL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. grew EPS 59. 2% year-over-year, compared to -21. 2% for Lion Group Holding Ltd.. 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.
05Which has better profit margins — LGHL or PFSI?
Lion Group Holding Ltd.
(LGHL) is the more profitable company, earning 87. 7% net margin versus 11. 5% for PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. — meaning it keeps 87. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LGHL leads at 169. 8% versus 34. 6% for PFSI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LGHL leads at 119. 5%, 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — LGHL or PFSI?
In this comparison, PFSI (1.
3% yield) pays a dividend. LGHL does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is LGHL or PFSI better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
(PFSI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 93), 1. 3% yield, +603. 4% 10Y return). Lion Group Holding Ltd. (LGHL) carries a higher beta of 2. 04 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PFSI: +603. 4%, LGHL: -100. 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.
08What are the main differences between LGHL and PFSI?
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: LGHL is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PFSI is a small-cap high-growth stock. PFSI pays a dividend while LGHL 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.
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