LPL Financial (LPLA) vs Stifel Financial (SF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
LPL Financial (LPLA) has outperformed Stifel Financial (SF) over the past year, gaining 0.9% versus a loss of 5.9%. Over five years, LPLA leads with a +90.1% price change compared with +41.3% for SF. LPL Financial is the larger company by market cap ($25.83 billion vs $10.59 billion), about 2.4 times the size.
On valuation, Stifel Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (9.7x vs 10.9x for LPL Financial). Stifel Financial offers the higher dividend yield (1.84% vs 0.37%). Stifel Financial converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.8% 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 | SF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $328.00 | $70.11 |
| Market cap | $25.83B | $10.59B |
| 1-day change | +0.99% | +0.57% |
| YTD return | -8.17% | -16.02% |
| 1-year return | +0.88% | -5.88% |
| 5-year return | +90.14% | +41.33% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 26.09 | 12.52 |
| Forward P/E | 10.86 | 9.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.57 | $5.60 |
| Dividend yield | 0.37% | 1.84% |
| Annual dividend | $1.20 | $1.29 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.99B | $6.35B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +37.18% | +6.65% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $863.02M | $683.78M |
| Net margin | 5.08% | 10.77% |
| 52-week high | $400.16 | $89.83 |
| 52-week low | $260.15 | $67.81 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.03% | -21.95% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.08% | +21.59% |
| Average volume | 727.78K | 1.21M |
| Shares outstanding | 78.74M | 151.00M |
| Employees | 10,081 | 8,900 |
| 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 2.4 times larger than Stifel Financial by market value ($25.83B vs $10.59B).
- LPL Financial trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.1x vs 12.5x trailing P/E).
- Stifel Financial offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.84% vs 0.37%).
- Stifel Financial is more profitable, keeping 10.8 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 +6.65%).
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 Stifel Financial
SF stock →Stifel Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated that provides retail and institutional wealth management, and investment banking services to individual, corporations, municipalities, and institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 8,900 employees
LPLA vs SF FAQ
Which is bigger, LPL Financial or Stifel Financial?
LPL Financial (LPLA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $25.83B compared with $10.59B for Stifel Financial (SF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LPLA or SF?
LPLA returned +0.88% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.88% for SF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LPLA or SF?
SF has the lower trailing P/E at 12.5, 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 Stifel Financial?
Stifel Financial has the higher yield at 1.84%, compared with 0.37% for LPL Financial.
Are LPL Financial and Stifel Financial in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service industry within the Finance sector.