LPL Financial (LPLA) vs SEI Investments (SEIC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
SEI Investments (SEIC) has outperformed LPL Financial (LPLA) over the past year, gaining 22.0% versus a gain of 0.9%. Over five years, LPLA leads with a +90.1% price change compared with +67.6% for SEIC. LPL Financial is the larger company by market cap ($25.83 billion vs $12.39 billion), about 2.1 times the size.
On valuation, LPL Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (10.9x vs 14.8x for SEI Investments). SEI Investments offers the higher dividend yield (1.01% vs 0.37%). SEI Investments converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 31.1% versus 5.1%.
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 | LPLA | SEIC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $328.00 | $103.25 |
| Market cap | $25.83B | $12.39B |
| 1-day change | +0.99% | +1.16% |
| YTD return | -8.17% | +25.88% |
| 1-year return | +0.88% | +22.04% |
| 5-year return | +90.14% | +67.61% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 26.09 | 18.21 |
| Forward P/E | 10.93 | 14.81 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.57 | $5.67 |
| Dividend yield | 0.37% | 1.01% |
| Annual dividend | $1.20 | $1.04 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.99B | $2.30B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +37.18% | +8.10% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $863.02M | $715.30M |
| Gross margin | — | 35.18% |
| Operating margin | — | 27.31% |
| Net margin | 5.08% | 31.14% |
| 52-week high | $400.16 | $112.15 |
| 52-week low | $260.15 | $75.08 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.03% | -7.94% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.08% | +13.44% |
| Average volume | 727.78K | 764.29K |
| Shares outstanding | 78.74M | 120.02M |
| Employees | 10,081 | 4,997 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service | Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service |
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
- LPL Financial is about 2.1 times larger than SEI Investments by market value ($25.83B vs $12.39B).
- SEIC has outperformed LPLA by 21.2 percentage points over the past year.
- LPL Financial trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.1x vs 18.2x trailing P/E).
- SEI Investments is more profitable, keeping 31.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.1 cents for LPL Financial.
- LPL Financial grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+37.18% vs +8.10%).
About LPL Financial
LPLA stock →LPL Financial Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides an integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services to independent financial advisors and financial advisors at institutions in the United States. The company's brokerage offerings include variable and fixed annuities, mutual funds, equities, fixed income, alternative investments, retirement and 529 education savings plans, and insurance; and client cash programs consist of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured bank sweep vehicles, and a client cash and money market account.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 10,081 employees
About SEI Investments
SEIC stock →SEI Investments Company is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides wealth management, retirement and investment solutions, asset management, asset administration, investment processing outsourcing solutions, financial services, and investment advisory services to its clients.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 4,997 employees
LPLA vs SEIC FAQ
Which is bigger, LPL Financial or SEI Investments?
LPL Financial (LPLA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $25.83B compared with $12.39B for SEI Investments (SEIC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LPLA or SEIC?
SEIC returned +22.04% over the past 12 months, compared with +0.88% for LPLA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LPLA or SEIC?
SEIC has the lower trailing P/E at 18.2, versus 26.1 for LPLA. 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, LPL Financial or SEI Investments?
SEI Investments has the higher yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.37% for LPL Financial.
Are LPL Financial and SEI Investments in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service industry within the Finance sector.