Capital One Financial (COF) vs Wells Fargo (WFC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Wells Fargo (WFC) has outperformed Capital One Financial (COF) over the past year, losing 1.1% versus a loss of 8.3%. Over five years, WFC leads with a +65.9% price change compared with +16.3% for COF. Wells Fargo is the larger company by market cap ($242.71 billion vs $120.19 billion), about 2.0 times the size, while Capital One Financial is growing revenue faster (+36.6% vs +1.7%).
On valuation, Capital One Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (8.2x vs 10.0x for Wells Fargo). Wells Fargo offers the higher dividend yield (2.24% vs 1.53%). Wells Fargo converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 25.5% versus 4.6%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | COF | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $195.91 | $80.26 |
| Market cap | $120.19B | $242.71B |
| 1-day change | +0.05% | -1.53% |
| YTD return | -19.17% | -13.88% |
| 1-year return | -8.32% | -1.08% |
| 5-year return | +16.35% | +65.89% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.58 | 11.65 |
| Forward P/E | 8.24 | 10.03 |
| EPS (TTM) | $15.57 | $6.89 |
| Dividend yield | 1.53% | 2.24% |
| Annual dividend | $3.00 | $1.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $53.43B | $83.70B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +36.62% | +1.70% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.45B | $21.34B |
| Net margin | 4.59% | 25.49% |
| 52-week high | $259.64 | $97.76 |
| 52-week low | $174.24 | $72.78 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.55% | -17.90% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +31.28% | +23.60% |
| Average volume | 3.63M | 14.20M |
| Shares outstanding | 613.48M | 3.02B |
| Employees | 78,400 | 197,466 |
| Sector | Financial Services | Finance |
| Industry | Credit Services | Major Banks |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Wells Fargo is about 2.0 times larger than Capital One Financial by market value ($242.71B vs $120.19B).
- Wells Fargo is more profitable, keeping 25.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.6 cents for Capital One Financial.
- Capital One Financial grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+36.62% vs +1.70%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Capital One Financial in Financial Services and Wells Fargo in Finance.
About Capital One Financial
COF stock →Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One, National Association, which engages in the provision of various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking.
Financial Services · Credit Services · 78,400 employees
About Wells Fargo
WFC stock →Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.
Finance · Major Banks · 197,466 employees
COF vs WFC FAQ
Which is bigger, Capital One Financial or Wells Fargo?
Wells Fargo (WFC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $242.71B compared with $120.19B for Capital One Financial (COF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, COF or WFC?
WFC returned -1.08% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.32% for COF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, COF or WFC?
WFC has the lower trailing P/E at 11.6, versus 12.6 for COF. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Capital One Financial or Wells Fargo?
Wells Fargo has the higher yield at 2.24%, compared with 1.53% for Capital One Financial.
Are Capital One Financial and Wells Fargo in the same industry?
No. Capital One Financial is in the Financial Services sector, while Wells Fargo is in Finance.