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).

Total return — C vs MA

growth of $100 · last 20y
C -71.3%MA +10551.7%MA compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1101001k10k100kStart $10020102014201820222026$29$10,652
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 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueC(lower P/E)
GrowthMA(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeC(higher dividend yield)
QualityMA(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCMA
P/E ratio17.3328.36
Forward P/E11.1921.48
P/S ratio1.4512.89
P/B ratio1.1865.09
PEG ratio0.751.81

Profitability

MetricCMA
Gross margin45.48%82.96%
Operating margin12.79%59.40%
Net margin9.34%45.88%
ROE7.58%231.63%
ROIC0.95%48.63%

Dividends

MetricCMA
Dividend yield1.72%0.67%
Payout ratio33.20%19.70%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCMA
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.

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.