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...
Why It's Moving
Banco Santander Accelerates Share Buyback, Nearing €1.51B Cap as Confidence Signal Intensifies.
- Repurchased 7,100,000 shares between December 4-10 at weighted average prices across European venues, hitting 88.6% of the €1.51B program launched in July.
- Buyback now covers about 15.2% of outstanding shares since 2021, shrinking share count and potentially lifting earnings per share.
- Ongoing executions signal robust free cash flow and board commitment, aligning with technical upgrades to 'Strong Buy' amid upward momentum.
BBVA strikes game-changing AI alliance with OpenAI to revolutionize banking services.
- BBVA partners with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT Enterprise bank-wide, accelerating a new AI-powered productivity model as highlighted by Chair Carlos Torres Vila.
- The alliance enables direct integration of BBVA's products into ChatGPT, with demos already live in Italy and Germany for seamless user interactions.
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praises BBVA's rapid AI adoption, signaling potential for industry-leading transformation and enhanced customer-centric banking.
Banco Santander Accelerates Share Buyback, Nearing €1.51B Cap as Confidence Signal Intensifies.
- Repurchased 7,100,000 shares between December 4-10 at weighted average prices across European venues, hitting 88.6% of the €1.51B program launched in July.
- Buyback now covers about 15.2% of outstanding shares since 2021, shrinking share count and potentially lifting earnings per share.
- Ongoing executions signal robust free cash flow and board commitment, aligning with technical upgrades to 'Strong Buy' amid upward momentum.
BBVA strikes game-changing AI alliance with OpenAI to revolutionize banking services.
- BBVA partners with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT Enterprise bank-wide, accelerating a new AI-powered productivity model as highlighted by Chair Carlos Torres Vila.
- The alliance enables direct integration of BBVA's products into ChatGPT, with demos already live in Italy and Germany for seamless user interactions.
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praises BBVA's rapid AI adoption, signaling potential for industry-leading transformation and enhanced customer-centric banking.
Which Baskets Do They Appear In?
Banking M&A Opportunities Explained
Italian banking giant UniCredit has signaled its potential sale of a major stake in Germany's Commerzbank, possibly to a non-EU buyer. This move could catalyze a wave of mergers and acquisitions across the European banking sector, creating opportunities for investment banks and other financial institutions poised for consolidation.
Published: September 14, 2025
Explore BasketEuropean Bank Targets: M&A Risks and Opportunities
BBVA's hostile takeover bid for Sabadell has been rejected by the latter's board, signaling a potential wave of mergers and acquisitions in the European banking sector. This theme focuses on financial institutions that could be involved in or benefit from increased M&A activity.
Published: September 12, 2025
Explore BasketEuropean Banking M&A
UniCredit's major stake in Commerzbank signals the start of European banking consolidation. Our experts have selected companies positioned to benefit from this wave, including potential M&A targets and the investment banks that will earn fees from these deals.
Published: July 10, 2025
Explore BasketWhich Baskets Do They Appear In?
Banking M&A Opportunities Explained
Italian banking giant UniCredit has signaled its potential sale of a major stake in Germany's Commerzbank, possibly to a non-EU buyer. This move could catalyze a wave of mergers and acquisitions across the European banking sector, creating opportunities for investment banks and other financial institutions poised for consolidation.
Published: September 14, 2025
Explore BasketEuropean Bank Targets: M&A Risks and Opportunities
BBVA's hostile takeover bid for Sabadell has been rejected by the latter's board, signaling a potential wave of mergers and acquisitions in the European banking sector. This theme focuses on financial institutions that could be involved in or benefit from increased M&A activity.
Published: September 12, 2025
Explore BasketEuropean Banking M&A
UniCredit's major stake in Commerzbank signals the start of European banking consolidation. Our experts have selected companies positioned to benefit from this wave, including potential M&A targets and the investment banks that will earn fees from these deals.
Published: July 10, 2025
Explore BasketEuropean Financial Consolidation
BNP Paribas's acquisition of AXA Investment Managers could trigger a wave of mergers in European finance. These carefully selected stocks represent potential buyers and targets in banking, insurance, and asset management as the industry reshapes for the future.
Published: July 2, 2025
Explore BasketInvestment 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
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.
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