Citigroup Inc vs HSBC HOLDINGS PLC, two Banks—Regional stocks. A side-by-side on valuation, growth, margins, returns, and what each price is betting.
HSBC earns 11.3% on equity, Citigroup 6.7%, and the gap is two restructurings at different stages: HSBC's Asia-pivot largely done and paying, Citi's simplification still consuming years and basis points. Net margins double the point, 33.9% against 16.8%. The market prices the unfinished project dearer per dollar of current earnings, 20.3 times against 15.5, trough arithmetic making Citi look expensive precisely because its earnings remain depressed. Returns on assets, 0.72% against 0.54%. Both dividends undisplayed here. The pair asks whether to pay for repair mostly complete or repair mostly promised; the returns table says one of these banks already works.
Comparison updated 2026-07-10.
| Metric | C | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $141.79 | $93.76 |
| Market cap | $264.1B | $326.8B |
| Sector | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| Stage | Mature | Mature |
| P/E | 20.3 | 15.5 |
| P/B | 1.24 | 1.59 |
| P/S | 3.10 | 4.79 |
| EV/EBITDA | — | -3.8 |
| Revenue growth | +5.6% | +9.0% |
| Operating margin | — | 41.0% |
| Net margin | 16.8% | 33.9% |
| Return on equity | 6.7% | 11.3% |
| Return on assets | 0.5% | 0.7% |
| Debt / equity | 1.72 | 0.00 |
| Piotroski F (quality) | 8 / 9 | 8 / 9 |
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The stronger value is highlighted per metric where one is strictly better on that single number; it is not an overall verdict on either company. For informational and research purposes only. Not investment advice. Not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. boothcheck is not a registered investment adviser. Past performance does not guarantee future results.