MetaCap

Dave (DAVE) vs Nelnet (NNI)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

Dave (DAVE) has outperformed Nelnet (NNI) over the past year, gaining 70.0% versus a loss of 3.6%. Over five years, NNI leads with a +49.7% price change compared with +8.4% for DAVE. Nelnet is the larger company by market cap ($4.49 billion vs $4.46 billion), about 1.0 times the size.

On valuation, Nelnet trades at a lower forward P/E (14.8x vs 15.7x for Dave). Nelnet pays a dividend yielding 1.03%, while Dave does not currently pay one.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

DAVE+69.96%NNI-3.57%
+125%+47%-30%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
DAVE+8.73%NNI+50.01%
+79%-14%-107%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

DAVE versus NNI key metrics
MetricDAVENNI
Share price$349.32$125.44
Market cap$4.46B$4.49B
1-day change+1.31%+0.74%
YTD return+55.74%-6.35%
1-year return+69.96%-3.57%
5-year return+8.41%+49.68%
P/E ratio (TTM)22.5214.99
Forward P/E15.7414.76
EPS (TTM)$15.51$8.37
Dividend yield0.00%1.03%
Annual dividend$0.00$1.29
Revenue (latest FY)$554.18M—
Revenue growth (YoY)+59.67%—
Net income (latest FY)$195.87M$428.47M
Net margin35.34%—
52-week high$458.25$144.38
52-week low$152.21$116.62
Distance from 52-week high-23.77%-13.12%
Analyst consensusbuyhold
Avg. price target upside+27.16%-0.35%
Average volume388.56K132.38K
Shares outstanding11.44M25.16M
Employees2805,744
SectorFinanceFinance
IndustryFinance: Consumer ServicesFinance: Consumer Services

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

  • DAVE has outperformed NNI by 73.5 percentage points over the past year.
  • Dave trades at a higher earnings multiple (22.5x vs 15.0x trailing P/E).
  • Nelnet offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.03% vs 0.00%).

About Dave

DAVE stock →

Dave Inc. provides various financial products and services through its financial services platform in the United States.

Finance · Finance: Consumer Services · 280 employees

About Nelnet

NNI stock →

Nelnet, Inc. engages in loan servicing, education technology services, and payment businesses worldwide.

Finance · Finance: Consumer Services · 5,744 employees

DAVE vs NNI FAQ

Which is bigger, Dave or Nelnet?

Nelnet (NNI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.49B compared with $4.46B for Dave (DAVE).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, DAVE or NNI?

DAVE returned +69.96% over the past 12 months, compared with -3.57% for NNI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, DAVE or NNI?

NNI has the lower trailing P/E at 15.0, versus 22.5 for DAVE. 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, Dave or Nelnet?

Nelnet pays a dividend yielding 1.03%, while Dave does not currently pay a regular dividend.

Are Dave and Nelnet in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Finance: Consumer Services industry within the Finance sector.

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