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

PYPL leads on 8 of 12 compared metrics.

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 July 4, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — C vs PYPL

growth of $100 · last 11y
C +152.8%PYPL +23.9%C compounded faster
200400600800Start $10020172019202120232025$253$124
C PYPL

C vs PYPL: by the numbers

  • C is the larger company ($239.97B vs $40.11B market cap).
  • PYPL trades at the lower earnings multiple (8.53 vs 17.34 P/E).
  • PYPL converts more revenue to profit (15.00% vs 9.34% net margin).
  • C grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.26% vs 8.09% CAGR).
  • C pays the higher dividend yield (1.71% vs 1.23%).

Which is better, C or PYPL?

Metric tally: C 4 · PYPL 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePYPL(lower P/E)
GrowthC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeC(higher dividend yield)
QualityPYPL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCPYPL
P/E ratio17.348.53
Forward P/E12.828.56
P/S ratio1.451.24
P/B ratio1.182.09
PEG ratio0.810.30

Profitability

MetricCPYPL
Gross margin45.48%46.12%
Operating margin12.79%17.85%
Net margin9.34%15.00%
ROE7.58%25.26%
ROIC0.95%14.95%

Dividends

MetricCPYPL
Dividend yield1.71%1.23%
Payout ratio33.20%10.26%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCPYPL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)15.26%8.09%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.77%8.81%
Total return CAGR (5Y)18.77%-30.86%

Frequently asked

Which is better, C or PYPL?
It depends on your goal. value: PYPL (lower P/E); growth: C (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: C (higher dividend yield); quality: PYPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PYPL leads 8 to 4.
Is C or PYPL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, PYPL is cheaper: C trades at a 17.34 P/E and PYPL at 8.53.
Which has grown faster, C or PYPL?
Over the past five years, C grew revenue faster — C at a 15.26% CAGR versus PYPL at 8.09%.
Does C or PYPL pay a bigger dividend?
C yields 1.71% and PYPL yields 1.23% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is C or PYPL more profitable?
PYPL runs the higher net margin — C at 9.34% versus PYPL at 15.00%.
Which has been the better investment, C or PYPL?
Over the past 10-year, C delivered the higher annualized total return — C at 16.18% versus PYPL at 2.35%. 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 July 4, 2026.