Financial - Capital Markets
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VIRT vs GS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Financial - Capital Markets
VIRT vs GS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Financial - Capital Markets | Financial - Capital Markets |
| Market Cap | $4.32B | $285.46B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.63B | $126.85B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $551M | $16.67B |
| Gross Margin | 48.0% | 41.1% |
| Operating Margin | 33.8% | 14.5% |
| Forward P/E | 8.4x | 15.5x |
| Total Debt | $8.98B | $616.93B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.06B | $182.09B |
VIRT vs GS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtu Financial, In… (VIRT) | 100 | 212.1 | +112.1% |
| The Goldman Sachs G… (GS) | 100 | 467.7 | +367.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: VIRT vs GS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
VIRT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.40, yield 2.0%
- Rev growth 26.2%, EPS growth 72.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.40, current ratio 1.69x
GS is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 5.2% 10Y total return vs VIRT's 221.2%
- +67.0% vs VIRT's +22.9%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 26.2% NII/revenue growth vs GS's 17.0% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (8.4x vs 15.5x) | |
| Quality / Margins | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs GS's 0.3% (lower = leaner) | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.40 vs GS's 1.47, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 2.0% yield, vs GS's 1.5% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +67.0% vs VIRT's +22.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs GS's 0.3% |
VIRT vs GS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
VIRT vs GS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
VIRT leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GS is the larger business by revenue, generating $126.9B annually — 34.9x VIRT's $3.6B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 12.9% (VIRT) to 11.3% (GS).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.6B | $126.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.9B | $23.4B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $551M | $16.7B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.1B | $15.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +48.0% | +41.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +33.8% | +14.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.9% | +11.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +35.7% | -12.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +96.3% | +45.8% |
Valuation Metrics
VIRT leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 9.9x trailing earnings, VIRT trades at a 56% valuation discount to GS's 22.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, VIRT's 9.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than GS's 34.6x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $4.3B | $285.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $12.2B | $720.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 9.86x | 22.67x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 8.44x | 15.52x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.62x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 9.13x | 34.65x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.19x | 2.25x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.19x | 2.51x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 3.33x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
VIRT leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
VIRT delivers a 29.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $29 in annual profit, vs $13 for GS. VIRT carries lower financial leverage with a 4.55x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GS's 5.06x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), VIRT scores 6/9 vs GS's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +29.4% | +12.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.6% | +0.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +10.1% | +1.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +7.7% | +3.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 4.55x | 5.06x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $7.9B | $434.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.1B | $182.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $9.0B | $616.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.71x | 0.31x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — VIRT and GS each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in GS five years ago would be worth $27,226 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $19,898 for VIRT. Over the past 12 months, GS leads with a +67.0% total return vs VIRT's +22.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors VIRT at 44.8% vs GS's 43.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +55.9% | +1.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +22.9% | +67.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +203.5% | +192.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +99.0% | +172.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +221.2% | +521.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +44.8% | +43.0% |
Risk & Volatility
VIRT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
VIRT is the less volatile stock with a 0.40 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than GS's 1.47 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. VIRT currently trades 96.9% from its 52-week high vs GS's 93.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.40x | 1.47x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $52.21 | $984.70 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $31.55 | $547.06 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.9% | +93.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.5 | 50.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.1M | 2.0M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — VIRT and GS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates VIRT as "Hold" and GS as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 8.4% upside for GS (target: $996) vs -5.1% for VIRT (target: $48). For income investors, VIRT offers the higher dividend yield at 2.03% vs GS's 1.47%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $48.00 | $995.89 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 13 | 55 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.0% | +1.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 12 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.03 | $13.48 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +4.3% | +3.6% |
VIRT leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 2 categories are tied.
VIRT vs GS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is VIRT or GS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Virtu Financial, Inc.
(VIRT) is the stronger pick with 26. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 17. 0% for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS). Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) offers the better valuation at 9. 9x trailing P/E (8. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) 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.
02Which has the better valuation — VIRT or GS?
On trailing P/E, Virtu Financial, Inc.
(VIRT) is the cheapest at 9. 9x versus The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. at 22. 7x. On forward P/E, Virtu Financial, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — VIRT or GS?
Over the past 5 years, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
(GS) delivered a total return of +172. 3%, compared to +99. 0% for Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GS returned +521. 9% versus VIRT's +221. 2%. 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 — VIRT or GS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Virtu Financial, Inc.
(VIRT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 40β versus The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 's 1. 47β — meaning GS is approximately 264% more volatile than VIRT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 5% for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — VIRT or GS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Virtu Financial, Inc.
(VIRT) is pulling ahead at 26. 2% versus 17. 0% for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. grew EPS 77. 3% year-over-year, compared to 72. 7% for Virtu Financial, 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.
06Which has better profit margins — VIRT or GS?
Virtu Financial, Inc.
(VIRT) is the more profitable company, earning 12. 9% net margin versus 11. 3% for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 12. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: VIRT leads at 33. 8% versus 14. 5% for GS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VIRT leads at 48. 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.
07Is VIRT or GS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Virtu Financial, Inc.
(VIRT) trades at 8. 4x forward P/E versus 15. 5x for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. — 7. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GS: 8. 4% to $995. 89.
08Which pays a better dividend — VIRT or GS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 1. 5% for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS).
09Is VIRT or GS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Virtu Financial, Inc.
(VIRT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 40), 2. 0% yield, +221. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (VIRT: +221. 2%, GS: +521. 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.
10What are the main differences between VIRT and GS?
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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