Capital One Financial Corporation logo

Capital One Financial Corporation(COF)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
3-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$204.88
10/28/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for COF

10/28/2026: COF (3-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Capital One Financial Corporation is a prominent US-based financial services firm recognized for its technology-driven, data-centric approach to credit cards and consumer banking. The company has a leading position in the credit card market, benefiting from a well-known digital-first strategy that helps maintain competitive margins. Its primary investment story centers on the potential for massive scale through the proposed acquisition of Discover Financial Services. However, investors should note risks including exposure to subprime credit cycles, intense competition from fintech platforms, and complex regulatory execution. The stock may suit value-oriented investors who can tolerate volatility and are monitoring the long-term outcome of its integration initiatives.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitWhile the company has a strong growth history, it is now a mature firm sensitive to the economic cycle.
Momentum investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveThe stock often trends strongly with the financial sector and consumer credit health.
Value investorStrong fitCapital One often trades at reasonable valuation multiples relative to its earnings potential and book value.
Dividend investorMixed fitIt pays a steady dividend but is primarily sought for its growth and profitability profile.
Low-risk investorWeak fitThe stock carries high price volatility due to its sensitivity to the credit cycle.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe stock is highly sensitive to macroeconomic shifts and changes in consumer spending.
Valuation riskMediumMarket pricing of the stock often fluctuates based on interest rate outlooks.
Competition risk (Digital Banking/Fintech)Medium / highIncreasing competition from nimble fintech platforms threatens traditional banking margins.
Business qualityStrongCapital One’s sophisticated data-driven franchise provides a distinct competitive advantage.
Dividend incomeMediumDividends are reliable but not the primary driver of the investment thesis.
Execution riskMediumSuccessfully integrating major acquisitions like Discover is critical for long-term value creation.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

Smooth

The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 37.46%
Avg. Invested days 56
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/28/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
COF receives a 4-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals, solid quantitative characteristics, and strong analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
COF has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, strong cash generation (FCF margin 37.7%) and solid revenue growth (+28.4%) are partially offset by negative earnings growth (-48.4%), soft profitability (net margin 3.5%), modest insider ownership of 1.25%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
COF's financial health is supported by strong cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation of $26.1B (37.7% of revenue). Profitability is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is COF's strongest growth driver at +54.2% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, revenue growth (+28.4%, solid) is also solid, while earnings growth (-48.4%, negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 91.0% and approximately 96.6% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 1.25% provides only moderate management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 8.32%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.63%
State Street Corp 4.53%
JPMorgan Chase & Co 2.90%
Geode Capital Management, LLC 2.34%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
COF generates approximately $473 of gross profit, $33 of operating income, and $377 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Moderate margins and strong cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is weak.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: -7.54% (Tax Credit)

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
COF has a large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLarge / Mega Cap StabilityHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 124.81B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 12.47
1Y Target Price 255
Price to earnings Ratio 12.47
1Y Target Price 255
Volume (30-day avg) 3.9M shares
Beta 1.04
52 Weeks Range 173.62 - 256.64
Updated Date 10/28/2026
52 Weeks Range 173.62 - 256.64
Updated Date 10/28/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 1.58%
Basic EPS (TTM) 16.32

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Credit CardsInterest income and interchange fees from consumer and small business cards.This is the primary engine of the company, driven by consumer spending and lending.
Consumer BankingNet interest margin from deposits, savings, and checking products.This provides a stable, lower-cost source of funding for the company's lending activities.
Commercial BankingLoans and treasury services to business clients.This segment diversifies the company away from pure consumer reliance.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-10-20
When After Market
Estimate 5.45
Actual 6.69

Profitability

Profit Margin 22.23%
Operating Margin (TTM) 37.83%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 1.57%
Return on Equity (TTM) 9.39%

Valuation

Trailing PE 12.47
Forward PE 8.5
Enterprise Value 127.67B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.55
Enterprise Value 127.67B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.55
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.76
Enterprise Value to EBITDA -
Shares Outstanding 613.48M
Shares Floating 592.87M
Shares Outstanding 613.48M
Shares Floating 592.87M
Percent Insiders 1.25
Percent Institutions 90.98

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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