How is the NAB (ASX:NAB) share price performing against the banking sector?

The big four bank share is on fire in 2021.

| More on:
A woman holds up hands to compare two things with question marks above her hands.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) share price has been on a strong run of late.

Shares in the Aussie big four bank have climbed 19.5% in 2021 and are outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) by some margin.

However, the ASX banking sector has had a strong year. How does NAB's performance stack up against its bank peers?

How does the NAB share price stack up against its peers?

As it stands, NAB is Australia's third-largest bank by market capitalisation. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is the largest at $177.7 billion with Westpac Banking Corporation Ltd (ASX: WBC) in second at $94.6 billion.

NAB and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) round out the top four with valuations of $90.3 billion and $80.6 billion, respectively.

The NAB share price has now rocketed 56.2% higher in the past 12 months. That's better than ANZ (+55.5%), CBA (+45.3%) and Westpac (+50.7%).

Recent share price performance is not the only thing to consider when evaluating the NAB share price. NAB is currently trading at a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 21.0 times with a 3.3% dividend yield.

In terms of the P/E ratio, that puts it in the middle of the pack compared to ANZ (17.2 times), CBA (21.3 times) and Westpac (22.1 times). But this is not the only metric investors would be looking at when comparing ASX bank shares against one another.

Different dividend yields are also important in evaluating the NAB share price performance. Westpac and CBA (both 3.5%), as well as ANZ (3.7%), all offer higher yields at their current prices.

Foolish takeaway

The NAB share price has been performing strongly in 2021. In fact, on share price performance alone, the Aussie bank has outperformed its big four peers in the past 12 months.

Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Bank Shares

Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Bank Shares

$10,000 invested in Westpac shares 12 months ago is now

Would you be smiling now if you invested in the big four bank a year ago? Let's see.

Read more »

a woman wearing the black and yellow corporate colours of a leading bank gazes out the window in thought as she holds a tablet in her hands.
Bank Shares

These 3 headwinds make CBA shares a sell: expert

This leading expert believes now is a good time to take profit on CBA shares. Let’s find out why.

Read more »

Happy young woman saving money in a piggy bank.
Bank Shares

Are ANZ shares still in the buy zone near 6-month highs

Bank stocks have rallied hard in 2024.

Read more »

Bank building in a financial district.
Bank Shares

Is this the $350 million reason the Big Four bank shares are falling today?

It’s another challenging day for banks.

Read more »

Young professional person providing advise to older couple.
Bank Shares

NAB shares sink on ASIC legal action

The banking giant failed 345 of its most vulnerable customers.

Read more »

Nervous customer in discussions at a bank.
Bank Shares

Is the NAB share price actually expensive?

Should investors be looking at NAB stock as a bargain?

Read more »

CBA share price represented by branch welcome sign
Bank Shares

Own CBA shares? Here's a major milestone you may have missed this week

CBA shares marked a groundbreaking achievement this week.

Read more »

A mature age woman with a groovy short haircut and glasses, sits at her computer, pen in hand thinking about information she is seeing on the screen.
Bank Shares

Up 52% in a year! Is this rocketing ASX bank stock the perfect pick for my retirement portfolio?

Are CBA shares right for retirees?

Read more »