Santander vs BBVA

This page compares Santander and BBVA, examining their business models, financial performance, and market context to help readers understand how the two banks operate within the sector. It presents neutral, accessible information without making recommendations, focusing on structure, strategy, and competitive landscape. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares Santander and BBVA, examining their business models, financial performance, and market context to help readers understand how the two banks operate within the sector. It presents ne...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

SAN

Metric

BBVA

$187.45B

Market Cap

$148.20B

-15.92%

Potential Profit

-5.36%

Hold

Analyst Rating

Strong Buy

Why It's Moving

Banco Santander Gears Up for 2025 Results as Shares Hold Strong Near 52-Week Highs

Upcoming 2025 results announcement on Feb 4 includes analyst calls and media events, setting stage for insights into profitability and capital returns.
Stock hit fresh 52-week high on Jan 28 at $13.05, fueled by upward technicals like 50-day SMA at $11.55 and robust trading volume.
Recent routine updates on total voting rights, capital reductions, and buyback transactions signal steady shareholder value efforts.

Sentiment:

⚖️Neutral

BBVA Accelerates Share Buyback, Signaling Confidence in Steady Capital Strength

Buyback progress hits 641.99 million euros spent via J.P. Morgan SE, covering 42.8% of the first tranche's authorized amount and underscoring disciplined execution.
Repurchases spanned five trading days ending January 30, reflecting consistent momentum in BBVA's strategy to return value to shareholders.
Short interest jumped 59.6% in January to 2.41 million shares, yet remains low at just 0.0% of float, pointing to limited bearish bets despite mixed analyst views.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Banco Santander Gears Up for 2025 Results as Shares Hold Strong Near 52-Week Highs

Upcoming 2025 results announcement on Feb 4 includes analyst calls and media events, setting stage for insights into profitability and capital returns.
Stock hit fresh 52-week high on Jan 28 at $13.05, fueled by upward technicals like 50-day SMA at $11.55 and robust trading volume.
Recent routine updates on total voting rights, capital reductions, and buyback transactions signal steady shareholder value efforts.

Sentiment:

⚖️Neutral

BBVA Accelerates Share Buyback, Signaling Confidence in Steady Capital Strength

Buyback progress hits 641.99 million euros spent via J.P. Morgan SE, covering 42.8% of the first tranche's authorized amount and underscoring disciplined execution.
Repurchases spanned five trading days ending January 30, reflecting consistent momentum in BBVA's strategy to return value to shareholders.
Short interest jumped 59.6% in January to 2.41 million shares, yet remains low at just 0.0% of float, pointing to limited bearish bets despite mixed analyst views.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Investment Analysis

Santander

SAN

Pros

Banco Santander has demonstrated strong operational improvements, with profit up 11% year-on-year and return on tangible equity reaching 14%.
The stock trades at a reasonable forward price-to-earnings multiple of 10x, below the S&P 500 and slightly under the industry average.
Santander's risk-adjusted performance is robust, with a Sharpe ratio of 2.48 over the past 12 months, outpacing many peers.

Considerations

The bank's share price has shown limited upside according to recent analyst targets, with minimal projected growth in the near term.
Santander's institutional ownership is relatively low at 9.2%, suggesting less confidence from large money managers compared to global peers.
Recent price performance has lagged behind BBVA, with a 5% decline over the past year compared to BBVA's significant gains.

BBVA

Pros

BBVA has delivered strong recent returns, outperforming Santander with a 72% gain over the past 12 months.
The bank maintains a solid dividend yield of 5.32%, making it attractive for income-focused investors.
BBVA's risk-adjusted performance is solid, with a Sharpe ratio of 1.41 and a P/E ratio below the sector average at 9.0x.

Considerations

Analyst targets suggest limited upside, with a projected fair value decline of 1.6% and negative sentiment on future price growth.
BBVA's price-to-book ratio is higher than the sector average, indicating a premium valuation relative to peers.
The bank's recent profit growth has been inconsistent, with dips reported in some key markets despite strong loan growth.

Related Market Insights

European Banking Consolidation: The M&A Wave Finally Arrives

UniCredit's Commerzbank move signals a new era for European banking M&A. Discover investment opportunities in consolidation, from advisory fees to strategic repositioning. Invest with Nemo.