Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare NatWest Group plc (NWG) vs Bank of America Corporation (BAC) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | NWG | 101.6% revenue growth vs BAC's -1.9% |
| Value | BAC | Lower P/E (11.5x vs 11.6x), PEG 0.75 vs 0.85 |
| Quality / Margins | NWG | 16.8% net margin vs BAC's 16.2% |
| Stability / Safety | NWG | Beta 0.90 vs BAC's 0.99 |
| Dividends | NWG | 3.4% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs BAC's 2.5% |
| Momentum (1Y) | NWG | +40.9% vs BAC's +10.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | BAC | 0.9% ROA vs NWG's 0.7%, ROIC 3.2% vs 4.6% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Valuation efficiency (growth/$)
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
NatWest Group is a major UK-based banking group providing retail, commercial, and institutional banking services across the United Kingdom and internationally. It generates revenue primarily through net interest income from lending activities (~60% of total income) and fee-based income from banking services, wealth management, and capital markets operations. The company's competitive advantage lies in its entrenched position as one of the UK's largest retail banks with extensive branch networks, established commercial relationships, and government ownership providing stability.
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions providing comprehensive banking and financial services to consumers, businesses, and institutions. It generates revenue primarily through net interest income from its massive loan portfolio — about 60% of total revenue — supplemented by fees from investment banking, wealth management, and trading activities. The company's key advantage is its massive scale and nationwide branch network — the second-largest in the U.S. — which creates a stable deposit base and cross-selling opportunities across its diverse financial services ecosystem.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
BAC leads in 2 of 6 categories (Financial Metrics, Valuation Metrics). NWG leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 2 tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
BAC is the larger business by revenue, generating $188.8B annually — 6.6x NWG's $28.6B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 16.8% (NWG) to 16.2% (BAC).
| Metric | NWGNatWest Group plc | BACBank of America C… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $28.6B | $188.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $7.9B | $36.6B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $5.2B | $30.6B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $0 | $12.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +51.3% | +55.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +21.7% | +18.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +16.8% | +16.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +2.4% | +6.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.1% | +18.3% |
Valuation Metrics
At 11.6x trailing earnings, NWG trades at a 11% valuation discount to BAC's 13.0x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), BAC offers better value at 0.85x vs NWG's 0.86x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | NWGNatWest Group plc | BACBank of America C… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $66.2B | $379.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $29.7B | $513.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 11.64x | 13.04x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 11.61x | 11.52x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.86x | 0.85x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 3.04x | 14.02x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.72x | 2.01x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.33x | 1.24x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 70.87x | 30.07x |
Profitability & Efficiency
NWG delivers a 12.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $10 for BAC. BAC carries lower financial leverage with a 1.21x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NWG's 1.67x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), BAC scores 7/9 vs NWG's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | NWGNatWest Group plc | BACBank of America C… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +12.5% | +10.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.7% | +0.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.6% | +3.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.7% | +4.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.67x | 1.21x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$27.1B | $134.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $93.1B | $231.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $65.9B | $365.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.50x | 0.44x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in NWG five years ago would be worth $34,385 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $15,219 for BAC. Over the past 12 months, NWG leads with a +40.9% total return vs BAC's +10.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NWG at 37.0% vs BAC's 15.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | NWGNatWest Group plc | BACBank of America C… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -6.8% | -10.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +40.9% | +10.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +156.9% | +54.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +243.8% | +52.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +199.7% | +355.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +37.0% | +15.5% |
Risk & Volatility
NWG is the less volatile stock with a 0.90 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BAC's 0.99 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | NWGNatWest Group plc | BACBank of America C… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.90x | 0.99x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $19.36 | $57.55 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $10.40 | $33.07 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +85.7% | +86.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.7 | 45.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.6M | 30.7M |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NWG as "Buy" and BAC as "Buy". For income investors, NWG offers the higher dividend yield at 3.43% vs BAC's 2.54%.
| Metric | NWGNatWest Group plc | BACBank of America C… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $60.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 53 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.4% | +2.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 6 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.42 | $1.27 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +5.5% | +5.7% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| NatWest Group plc (NWG) | 100 | 385.66 | +285.7% |
| Bank of America Cor… (BAC) | 100 | 183.96 | +84.0% |
NatWest Group plc (NWG) returned +244% over 5 years vs Bank of America Cor… (BAC)'s +52%. A $10,000 investment in NWG 5 years ago would be worth $34,385 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| NatWest Group plc (NWG) | $14.9B | $28.6B | +91.5% |
| Bank of America Cor… (BAC) | $93.7B | $188.8B | +101.5% |
Bank of America Corporation's revenue grew from $93.7B (2016) to $188.8B (2025) — a 8.1% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| NatWest Group plc (NWG) | -34.9% | 16.8% | +148.2% |
| Bank of America Cor… (BAC) | 19.0% | 16.2% | -14.7% |
Bank of America Corporation's net margin went from 19% (2016) to 16% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| NatWest Group plc (NWG) | 58.8 | 9.6 | -83.7% |
| Bank of America Cor… (BAC) | 18.9 | 14.4 | -23.8% |
NatWest Group plc has traded in a 6x–59x P/E range over 7 years; current trailing P/E is ~12x. Bank of America Corporation has traded in a 9x–19x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~13x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| NatWest Group plc (NWG) | -1.28 | 1.06 | +182.8% |
| Bank of America Cor… (BAC) | 1.5 | 3.82 | +154.7% |
Bank of America Corporation's EPS grew from $1.50 (2016) to $3.82 (2025) — a 11% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
NatWest Group plc generated $694M FCF in 2024 (-99% vs 2021). Bank of America Corporation generated $13B FCF in 2025 (+275% vs 2021).
NWG vs BAC: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NWG or BAC a better buy right now?
NatWest Group plc (NWG) offers the better valuation at 11.6x trailing P/E (11.6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate NatWest Group plc (NWG) a "Buy" — based on 6 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 — NWG or BAC?
On trailing P/E, NatWest Group plc (NWG) is the cheapest at 11.6x versus Bank of America Corporation at 13.0x. On forward P/E, Bank of America Corporation is actually cheaper at 11.5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Bank of America Corporation wins at 0.75x versus NatWest Group plc's 0.85x — a PEG below 1.0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NWG or BAC?
Over the past 5 years, NatWest Group plc (NWG) delivered a total return of +243.8%, compared to +52.2% for Bank of America Corporation (BAC). A $10,000 investment in NWG five years ago would be worth approximately $34K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BAC returned +355.5% versus NWG's +199.7%. 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 — NWG or BAC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), NatWest Group plc (NWG) is the lower-risk stock at 0.90β versus Bank of America Corporation's 0.99β — meaning BAC is approximately 10% more volatile than NWG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Bank of America Corporation (BAC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 121% versus 167% for NatWest Group plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — NWG or BAC?
NatWest Group plc (NWG) is the more profitable company, earning 16.8% net margin versus 16.2% for Bank of America Corporation — meaning it keeps 16.8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NWG leads at 21.7% versus 18.5% for BAC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BAC leads at 55.4%, 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.
06Is NWG or BAC more undervalued right now?
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, Bank of America Corporation (BAC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0.75x versus NatWest Group plc's 0.85x. A PEG below 1.0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Bank of America Corporation (BAC) trades at 11.5x forward P/E versus 11.6x for NatWest Group plc — 0.1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
07Which pays a better dividend — NWG or BAC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends. NatWest Group plc (NWG) offers the highest yield at 3.4%, versus 2.5% for Bank of America Corporation (BAC).
08Is NWG or BAC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Bank of America Corporation (BAC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.99), 2.5% yield, +355.5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (BAC: +355.5%, NWG: +199.7%), 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.
09What are the main differences between NWG and BAC?
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. 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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