QFIN vs LC

For growth investors, LendingClub Corporation (LC) is the stronger pick with 15.

0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 4% for Qfin Holdings, Inc. (QFIN). Qfin Holdings, Inc. (QFIN) offers the better valuation at 2. 2x trailing P/E (0. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Qfin Holdings, Inc. (QFIN) a "Buy" — based on 4 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, Qfin Holdings, Inc.

(QFIN) is the cheapest at 2. 2x versus LendingClub Corporation at 14. 8x. On forward P/E, Qfin Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 0. 5x.

Over the past 5 years, LendingClub Corporation (LC) delivered a total return of +20.

8%, compared to -16. 4% for Qfin Holdings, Inc. (QFIN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: QFIN returned +19. 3% versus LC's -51. 9%. 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), Qfin Holdings, Inc.

(QFIN) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 20β versus LendingClub Corporation's 2. 36β — meaning LC is approximately 97% more volatile than QFIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, LendingClub Corporation (LC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 7% for Qfin Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), LendingClub Corporation (LC) is pulling ahead at 15.

0% versus 5. 4% for Qfin Holdings, Inc. (QFIN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: LendingClub Corporation grew EPS 155. 6% year-over-year, compared to 60. 7% for Qfin Holdings, Inc.. 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.

Qfin Holdings, Inc.

(QFIN) is the more profitable company, earning 36. 5% net margin versus 10. 2% for LendingClub Corporation — meaning it keeps 36. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: QFIN leads at 43. 9% versus 25. 0% for LC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LC leads at 64. 7%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, Qfin Holdings, Inc.

(QFIN) trades at 0. 5x forward P/E versus 9. 8x for LendingClub Corporation — 9. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for QFIN: 104. 7% to $28. 15.

In this comparison, QFIN (8.

9% yield) pays a dividend. LC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Qfin Holdings, Inc.

(QFIN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 20), 8. 9% yield). LendingClub Corporation (LC) carries a higher beta of 2. 36 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (QFIN: +19. 3%, LC: -51. 9%), 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.

QFIN pays a dividend while LC 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.