Financial providers use their expertise in capital allocation and risk assessment to help facilitate economic growth while offering consumers and businesses essential financial services. But worries about economic uncertainty and potential market volatility have kept sentiment in check, and over the past six months, the industry’s 12% return has trailed the S&P 500 by 10.1 percentage points.

Despite the lackluster result, a few diamonds in the rough can produce earnings growth no matter what, and we started StockStory to help you find them. With that said, here are three financials stocks boasting durable advantages.

Ameriprise Financial (AMP)

Market Cap: $43.83 billion

Founded in 1894 and spun off from American Express in 2005, Ameriprise Financial (NYSE: AMP) provides financial planning, wealth management, asset management, and insurance products to help individuals and institutions achieve their financial goals.

What Makes AMP Stand Out?

1. Share repurchases over the last five years enabled its annual earnings per share growth of 20.8% to outpace its revenue gains
2. Balance sheet strength has increased this cycle as its 19.1% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last two years was exceptional
3. Market-beating return on equity illustrates that management has a knack for investing in profitable ventures

Ameriprise Financial’s stock price of $500.10 implies a valuation ratio of 10.1x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Mastercard (MA)

Market Cap: $497.8 billion

Recognizable by its iconic "Priceless" advertising campaign that has run in over 120 countries, Mastercard (NYSE: MA) operates a global payments network that connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, and businesses, enabling electronic transactions and providing payment solutions.

Why Is MA a Top Pick?

1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 16.1% annual revenue growth over the last five years was exceptional
2. Share buybacks catapulted its annual earnings per share growth to 22.1%, which outperformed its revenue gains over the last five years
3. Market-beating return on equity illustrates that management has a knack for investing in profitable ventures

Mastercard is trading at $568.48 per share, or 26.7x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it’s free.

PJT (PJT)

Market Cap: $3.81 billion

Spun off from Blackstone in 2015 and founded by former Morgan Stanley executive Paul J. Taubman, PJT Partners (NYSE: PJT) is an advisory-focused investment bank that provides strategic advice, restructuring services, and fundraising solutions to corporations, boards, and investment firms.

Why Does PJT Catch Our Eye?

1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 20.6% annual revenue growth over the last two years was exceptional
2. Performance over the past two years was turbocharged by share buybacks, which enabled its earnings per share to grow faster than its revenue
3. ROE punches in at 27.8%, illustrating management’s expertise in identifying profitable investments

At $149.18 per share, PJT trades at 18.2x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

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Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,460% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+1,154% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.