Discover Financial Services (DFS) vs MSCI Inc. (MSCI)
DFS leads on 8 of 13 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Discover Financial Services and MSCI 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).
DFS
Discover Financial Services
$200.05Financial Services
MSCI
MSCI Inc.
$599.12Financial Services
Total return — DFS vs MSCI
growth of $100 · last 18yDFS +1031.5%MSCI +2191.6%MSCI compounded faster
DFS MSCI
DFS vs MSCI: by the numbers
- •DFS is the larger company ($50.34B vs $43.62B market cap).
- •DFS trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.67 vs 34.49 P/E).
- •MSCI converts more revenue to profit (40.74% vs 21.65% net margin).
- •DFS grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.84% vs 13.02% CAGR).
- •DFS pays the higher dividend yield (1.40% vs 1.29%).
Which is better, DFS or MSCI?
Metric tally: DFS 8 · MSCI 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueDFS(lower P/E)
GrowthDFS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeDFS(higher dividend yield)
QualityMSCI(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | DFS | MSCI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 10.67● | 34.49 |
| Forward P/E | 12.59● | 26.61 |
| P/S ratio | 2.28● | 13.58 |
| P/B ratio | 2.66 | — |
| PEG ratio | 0.15● | 3.48 |
Profitability
| Metric | DFS | MSCI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 65.86% | 82.86%● |
| Operating margin | 34.55% | 55.36%● |
| Net margin | 21.65% | 40.74%● |
| ROE | 25.29%● | -45.29% |
| ROIC | 32.48% | 35.34%● |
Dividends
| Metric | DFS | MSCI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.40%● | 1.29% |
| Payout ratio | 15.81% | 49.42% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DFS | MSCI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 13.84%● | 13.02% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 14.26% | 16.73%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 42.63%● | 5.72% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, DFS or MSCI?
- It depends on your goal. value: DFS (lower P/E); growth: DFS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DFS (higher dividend yield); quality: MSCI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DFS leads 8 to 5.
- Is DFS or MSCI cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, DFS is cheaper: DFS trades at a 10.67 P/E and MSCI at 34.49.
- Which has grown faster, DFS or MSCI?
- Over the past five years, DFS grew revenue faster — DFS at a 13.84% CAGR versus MSCI at 13.02%.
- Does DFS or MSCI pay a bigger dividend?
- DFS yields 1.40% and MSCI yields 1.29% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is DFS or MSCI more profitable?
- MSCI runs the higher net margin — DFS at 21.65% versus MSCI at 40.74%.
- Which has been the better investment, DFS or MSCI?
- Over the past 10-year, MSCI delivered the higher annualized total return — DFS at 15.34% versus MSCI at 24.16%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Discover Financial Services P/E ratioMSCI P/E ratioDiscover Financial Services dividend yieldMSCI dividend yieldDiscover Financial Services ROEMSCI ROEDiscover Financial Services operating marginMSCI operating marginDiscover Financial Services revenue growthMSCI revenue growthDiscover Financial Services free cash flowMSCI free cash flow
Discover Financial Services & MSCI 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 June 15, 2026.