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).
C
Citigroup Inc.
$139.97Financial Services
PYPL
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
$45.47Financial Services
Total return — C vs PYPL
growth of $100 · last 11yC +152.8%PYPL +23.9%C compounded faster
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 8It 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
| Metric | C | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 17.34 | 8.53● |
| Forward P/E | 12.82 | 8.56● |
| P/S ratio | 1.45 | 1.24● |
| P/B ratio | 1.18● | 2.09 |
| PEG ratio | 0.81 | 0.30● |
Profitability
| Metric | C | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 45.48% | 46.12% |
| Operating margin | 12.79% | 17.85%● |
| Net margin | 9.34% | 15.00%● |
| ROE | 7.58% | 25.26%● |
| ROIC | 0.95% | 14.95%● |
Dividends
| Metric | C | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.71%● | 1.23% |
| Payout ratio | 33.20% | 10.26% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | C | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Citigroup P/E ratioPayPal P/E ratioCitigroup dividend yieldPayPal dividend yieldCitigroup ROEPayPal ROECitigroup operating marginPayPal operating marginCitigroup revenue growthPayPal revenue growthCitigroup free cash flowPayPal free cash flow
Citigroup & PayPal 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 July 4, 2026.