Live Report · Updated January 26, 2026

Santander vs Capital One

This page compares Santander and Capital One, examining their business models, financial performance, and market context. It presents the similarities and differences between the banks in a neutral, accessible way, helping readers understand how each organisation operates within the financial sector. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares Santander and Capital One, examining their business models, financial performance, and market context. It presents the similarities and differences between the banks in a neutral, a...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

SAN

Metric

COF

$185.08B

Market Cap

$137.63B

-16.43%

Potential Profit

25.90%

Hold

Analyst Rating

Buy

Why It's Moving

Banco Santander surges to 52-week high amid revenue strength and analyst scrutiny.

Revenue crushed expectations at $26.22 billion versus $15.32 billion forecast, highlighting strong net interest income and a healthy 17.9% net margin.
Hit intraday 52-week high of $12.34 with elevated trading volume, reflecting market enthusiasm for 11.68% return on equity.
Analysts split with Hold consensus after downgrades from DZ Bank, Barclays, and UBS, tempering optimism on near-term upside.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Capital One Stock Dips After $5.1B Brex Acquisition and Q4 Earnings Miss

Q4 revenue surged 58% year-over-year to drive $2.1 billion in earnings, validating the Discover merger's synergy potential.
$5.15 billion Brex buyout positions Capital One to capture growth in corporate payments, building on its payments platform transformation.
Company returned $2.5 billion to shareholders via buybacks in Q4, signaling confidence despite margin pressures from heavy investments.

Sentiment:

🌋Volatile

Banco Santander surges to 52-week high amid revenue strength and analyst scrutiny.

Revenue crushed expectations at $26.22 billion versus $15.32 billion forecast, highlighting strong net interest income and a healthy 17.9% net margin.
Hit intraday 52-week high of $12.34 with elevated trading volume, reflecting market enthusiasm for 11.68% return on equity.
Analysts split with Hold consensus after downgrades from DZ Bank, Barclays, and UBS, tempering optimism on near-term upside.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Capital One Stock Dips After $5.1B Brex Acquisition and Q4 Earnings Miss

Q4 revenue surged 58% year-over-year to drive $2.1 billion in earnings, validating the Discover merger's synergy potential.
$5.15 billion Brex buyout positions Capital One to capture growth in corporate payments, building on its payments platform transformation.
Company returned $2.5 billion to shareholders via buybacks in Q4, signaling confidence despite margin pressures from heavy investments.

Sentiment:

🌋Volatile

Investment Analysis

Santander

SAN

Pros

Santander reported record nine-month profits in 2025, driven by strong performance in Latin America and improved efficiency.
The bank maintains a diversified global footprint, with significant operations in key markets including Spain, Portugal, and Brazil.
Santander trades at a low price-to-earnings ratio, reflecting a valuation that is below many global peers.

Considerations

The stock carries high uncertainty, with significant exposure to volatile emerging markets, particularly in Latin America.
Regulatory and macroeconomic risks in Europe and Latin America could impact future profitability and capital allocation.
Recent analyst coverage is limited, with only a single analyst rating, reducing consensus confidence in near-term outlook.

Capital One

COF

Pros

Capital One has demonstrated robust growth in credit card and consumer banking segments, supported by strong digital capabilities.
The company maintains a solid balance sheet with high liquidity and disciplined capital management practices.
Capital One has consistently outperformed peers in terms of profitability and efficiency in the US retail banking sector.

Considerations

The business is highly sensitive to US interest rate changes and economic cycles, which can affect loan performance and margins.
Increased competition in the credit card market may pressure future revenue growth and market share.
Regulatory scrutiny and compliance costs in the US financial sector remain elevated, posing ongoing operational risks.

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