Stifel Financial (SF) vs Virtu Financial (VIRT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Virtu Financial (VIRT) has outperformed Stifel Financial (SF) over the past year, gaining 81.6% versus a loss of 6.2%. Over five years, VIRT leads with a +133.2% price change compared with +39.9% for SF. Stifel Financial is the larger company by market cap ($10.53 billion vs $5.19 billion), about 2.0 times the size, while Virtu Financial is growing revenue faster (+26.2% vs +6.7%).
On valuation, Virtu Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (8.3x vs 9.6x for Stifel Financial). Stifel Financial offers the higher dividend yield (1.85% vs 1.63%). Virtu Financial converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.9% versus 10.8%.
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 | SF | VIRT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $69.71 | $58.81 |
| Market cap | $10.53B | $5.19B |
| 1-day change | -0.58% | -4.56% |
| YTD return | -16.89% | +76.50% |
| 1-year return | -6.23% | +81.62% |
| 5-year return | +39.86% | +133.19% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.45 | 9.97 |
| Forward P/E | 9.63 | 8.26 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.60 | $5.90 |
| Dividend yield | 1.85% | 1.63% |
| Annual dividend | $1.29 | $0.96 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.35B | $3.63B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.65% | +26.25% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $683.78M | $468.36M |
| Net margin | 10.77% | 12.89% |
| 52-week high | $89.83 | $68.76 |
| 52-week low | $67.81 | $31.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -22.39% | -14.47% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.29% | +18.30% |
| Average volume | 1.21M | 1.32M |
| Shares outstanding | 151.00M | 88.30M |
| Employees | 8,900 | 1,027 |
| 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
- Stifel Financial is about 2.0 times larger than Virtu Financial by market value ($10.53B vs $5.19B).
- VIRT has outperformed SF by 87.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Virtu Financial grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+26.25% vs +6.65%).
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
About Virtu Financial
VIRT stock →Virtu Financial, Inc. operates as a financial services company in the United States, Ireland, and internationally.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 1,027 employees
SF vs VIRT FAQ
Which is bigger, Stifel Financial or Virtu Financial?
Stifel Financial (SF) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.53B compared with $5.19B for Virtu Financial (VIRT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SF or VIRT?
VIRT returned +81.62% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.23% for SF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, SF or VIRT?
VIRT has the lower trailing P/E at 10.0, versus 12.4 for SF. 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, Stifel Financial or Virtu Financial?
Stifel Financial has the higher yield at 1.85%, compared with 1.63% for Virtu Financial.
Are Stifel Financial and Virtu Financial in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service industry within the Finance sector.