Citigroup Inc. (C) vs PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL)

A side-by-side comparison of Citigroup Inc. and PayPal Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — C vs PYPL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
C +295.4% (+14.7%/yr)PYPL +40.1% (+3.4%/yr)C compounded faster over this window
200400600800Start $10020182020202220242026$395$140
C PYPL

C vs PYPL: by the numbers

  • •C is the larger company ($222.13B vs $44.94B market cap).
  • •PYPL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (9.93 vs 13.99 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •PYPL converts more revenue to profit (14.36% vs 10.24% net margin).
  • •C grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.66% vs 7.43% CAGR).
  • •C pays the higher dividend yield (1.78% vs 0.78%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCPYPL
P/E ratio13.999.93
Forward P/E11.579.75
P/S ratio1.271.32
P/B ratio1.052.27

Profitability

MetricCPYPL
Gross margin46.63%45.75%
Operating margin14.18%18.78%
Net margin10.24%14.36%
ROE8.41%24.73%

Dividends

MetricCPYPL
Dividend yield1.78%0.78%
Payout ratio26.67%7.94%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCPYPL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)16.66%7.43%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.77%8.81%
Total return CAGR (5Y)18.79%-28.17%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, C or PYPL?
PYPL has the lower trailing P/E: C trades at 13.99 and PYPL at 9.93. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, C or PYPL?
Over the past five years, C grew revenue faster — C at a 16.66% CAGR versus PYPL at 7.43%.
Does C or PYPL pay a bigger dividend?
C yields 1.78% and PYPL yields 0.78% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is C or PYPL more profitable?
PYPL runs the higher net margin — C at 10.24% versus PYPL at 14.36%.
How have C and PYPL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, C delivered 14.80% and PYPL delivered 3.63% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.