• Banco Santander (NYSE:SAN) reported earnings per share of $0.28, surpassing estimates, and revenue of approximately $19 billion, exceeding expectations.
• The bank's subsidiary, Santander UK, reported a 14% increase in annual pretax profit, driven by an increase in net interest income and a reduction in costs and provision charges.
• Banco Santander has approved a substantial €5 billion share-buyback program, indicating strong financial performance and a commitment to enhancing shareholder value.

Banco Santander, trading as SAN on the NYSE, is a prominent Spanish bank with a global presence. It offers a wide range of financial services, including retail banking, corporate banking, and investment banking. The bank competes with other major financial institutions like BBVA and HSBC. On February 4, 2026, SAN reported earnings per share of $0.28, surpassing the estimated $0.25, and revenue of approximately $19 billion, exceeding the estimated $15.7 billion.

Santander UK, a subsidiary of Banco Santander, reported a 14% increase in its annual pretax profit. This growth was driven by an increase in net interest income, alongside a reduction in costs and provision charges. This positive performance aligns with Banco Santander's overall financial health, as the parent company reported a 15% increase in net profit for the final quarter of 2025.

In addition to strong earnings, Banco Santander has approved a substantial €5 billion share-buyback program. This move is likely to enhance shareholder value and reflects the bank's strong financial performance. The company's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 11.3 indicates the market's valuation of its earnings, while its price-to-sales ratio of about 2.01 suggests how much investors are willing to pay per dollar of sales.

The enterprise value to sales ratio is around 2.48, reflecting the company's total valuation relative to its sales. The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is approximately 7.35, providing insight into the company's cash flow generation relative to its valuation. The earnings yield is about 8.85%, offering a perspective on the return on investment.

However, the debt-to-equity ratio is notably high at approximately 3.13, indicating the company's reliance on debt financing. Additionally, the current ratio is around 0.32, which may suggest potential liquidity concerns in meeting short-term obligations. Despite these challenges, Banco Santander's recent financial performance and strategic initiatives demonstrate its resilience and commitment to enhancing shareholder value.