Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) vs PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL)

PYPL leads on 10 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Delta Air Lines, Inc. and PayPal Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — DAL vs PYPL

growth of $100 · last 11y
DAL +105.2%PYPL +13.1%DAL compounded faster
0200400600800Start $10020172019202120232025$205$113
DAL PYPL

DAL vs PYPL: by the numbers

  • DAL is the larger company ($55.48B vs $36.63B market cap).
  • PYPL trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.79 vs 12.13 P/E).
  • PYPL converts more revenue to profit (15.00% vs 6.87% net margin).
  • DAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (38.80% vs 8.09% CAGR).
  • PYPL pays the higher dividend yield (1.01% vs 0.90%).

Which is better, DAL or PYPL?

Metric tally: DAL 4 · PYPL 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDALPYPL
P/E ratio12.137.79
Forward P/E15.177.20
P/S ratio0.831.13
P/B ratio2.661.91
PEG ratio0.210.30
EV / EBITDA6.95
FCF yield7.24%

Profitability

MetricDALPYPL
Gross margin26.19%46.12%
Operating margin8.83%17.85%
Net margin6.87%15.00%
ROE21.97%25.26%
ROIC8.30%14.95%

Dividends

MetricDALPYPL
Dividend yield0.90%1.01%
Payout ratio9.72%7.69%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDALPYPL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)38.80%8.09%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.89%8.81%
FCF CAGR (5Y)115.85%
Total return CAGR (5Y)13.90%-31.17%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DAL or PYPL?
It depends on your goal. value: PYPL (lower P/E); growth: DAL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PYPL (higher dividend yield); quality: PYPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PYPL leads 10 to 4.
Is DAL or PYPL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, PYPL is cheaper: DAL trades at a 12.13 P/E and PYPL at 7.79.
Which has grown faster, DAL or PYPL?
Over the past five years, DAL grew revenue faster — DAL at a 38.80% CAGR versus PYPL at 8.09%.
Does DAL or PYPL pay a bigger dividend?
DAL yields 0.90% and PYPL yields 1.01% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DAL or PYPL more profitable?
PYPL runs the higher net margin — DAL at 6.87% versus PYPL at 15.00%.
Which has been the better investment, DAL or PYPL?
Over the past 10-year, DAL delivered the higher annualized total return — DAL at 9.39% versus PYPL at 1.31%. 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 15, 2026.