Citigroup Inc. (C) vs Mastercard Incorporated (MA)
C and MA are evenly matched — 7 metrics each of 14.
A side-by-side comparison of Citigroup Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
C
Citigroup Inc.
$139.83Financial Services
MA
Mastercard Incorporated
$489.98Financial Services
Total return — C vs MA
growth of $100 · last 20yC -71.3%MA +10551.7%MA compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
C MA
C vs MA: by the numbers
- •MA is the larger company ($432.94B vs $238.49B market cap).
- •C trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.33 vs 28.36 P/E).
- •MA converts more revenue to profit (45.88% vs 9.34% net margin).
- •MA grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.05% vs 15.26% CAGR).
- •C pays the higher dividend yield (1.72% vs 0.67%).
Which is better, C or MA?
Metric tally: C 7 · MA 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueC(lower P/E)
GrowthMA(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeC(higher dividend yield)
QualityMA(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | C | MA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 17.33● | 28.36 |
| Forward P/E | 11.19● | 21.48 |
| P/S ratio | 1.45● | 12.89 |
| P/B ratio | 1.18● | 65.09 |
| PEG ratio | 0.75● | 1.81 |
Profitability
| Metric | C | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 45.48% | 82.96%● |
| Operating margin | 12.79% | 59.40%● |
| Net margin | 9.34% | 45.88%● |
| ROE | 7.58% | 231.63%● |
| ROIC | 0.95% | 48.63%● |
Dividends
| Metric | C | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.72%● | 0.67% |
| Payout ratio | 33.20% | 19.70% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | C | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 15.26% | 17.05%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.77% | 20.93%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 16.79%● | 6.65% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, C or MA?
- It depends on your goal. value: C (lower P/E); growth: MA (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: C (higher dividend yield); quality: MA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
- Is C or MA cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, C is cheaper: C trades at a 17.33 P/E and MA at 28.36.
- Which has grown faster, C or MA?
- Over the past five years, MA grew revenue faster — C at a 15.26% CAGR versus MA at 17.05%.
- Does C or MA pay a bigger dividend?
- C yields 1.72% and MA yields 0.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is C or MA more profitable?
- MA runs the higher net margin — C at 9.34% versus MA at 45.88%.
- Which has been the better investment, C or MA?
- Over the past 10-year, MA delivered the higher annualized total return — C at 15.70% versus MA at 18.49%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Citigroup P/E ratioMastercard P/E ratioCitigroup dividend yieldMastercard dividend yieldCitigroup ROEMastercard ROECitigroup operating marginMastercard operating marginCitigroup revenue growthMastercard revenue growthCitigroup free cash flowMastercard free cash flow
Citigroup & Mastercard appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 14, 2026.