Discover Financial Services (DFS) vs Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ)
DFS leads on 13 of 14 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Discover Financial Services and Nasdaq, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
DFS
Discover Financial Services
$200.05Financial Services
NDAQ
Nasdaq, Inc.
$83.29Financial Services
Total return — DFS vs NDAQ
growth of $100 · last 18yDFS +595.8%NDAQ +663.2%NDAQ compounded faster
DFS NDAQ
DFS vs NDAQ: by the numbers
- •DFS is the larger company ($50.34B vs $47.10B market cap).
- •DFS trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.67 vs 25.09 P/E).
- •NDAQ converts more revenue to profit (23.15% vs 21.65% net margin).
- •DFS grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.84% vs 6.89% CAGR).
- •DFS pays the higher dividend yield (1.40% vs 1.34%).
Which is better, DFS or NDAQ?
Metric tally: DFS 13 · NDAQ 1It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueDFS(lower P/E)
GrowthDFS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeDFS(higher dividend yield)
QualityDFS(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | DFS | NDAQ |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 10.67● | 25.09 |
| Forward P/E | 12.59● | 18.72 |
| P/S ratio | 2.28● | 5.76 |
| P/B ratio | 2.66● | 3.96 |
| PEG ratio | 0.15● | 0.51 |
Profitability
| Metric | DFS | NDAQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 65.86%● | 54.81% |
| Operating margin | 34.55%● | 29.53% |
| Net margin | 21.65% | 23.15%● |
| ROE | 25.29%● | 15.90% |
| ROIC | 32.48%● | 8.26% |
Dividends
| Metric | DFS | NDAQ |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.40%● | 1.34% |
| Payout ratio | 15.81% | 35.78% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DFS | NDAQ |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 13.84%● | 6.89% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 14.26%● | 10.62% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 42.63%● | 8.27% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, DFS or NDAQ?
- It depends on your goal. value: DFS (lower P/E); growth: DFS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DFS (higher dividend yield); quality: DFS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DFS leads 13 to 1.
- Is DFS or NDAQ cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, DFS is cheaper: DFS trades at a 10.67 P/E and NDAQ at 25.09.
- Which has grown faster, DFS or NDAQ?
- Over the past five years, DFS grew revenue faster — DFS at a 13.84% CAGR versus NDAQ at 6.89%.
- Does DFS or NDAQ pay a bigger dividend?
- DFS yields 1.40% and NDAQ yields 1.34% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is DFS or NDAQ more profitable?
- NDAQ runs the higher net margin — DFS at 21.65% versus NDAQ at 23.15%.
- Which has been the better investment, DFS or NDAQ?
- Over the past 10-year, NDAQ delivered the higher annualized total return — DFS at 15.34% versus NDAQ at 16.46%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Discover Financial Services P/E ratioNasdaq P/E ratioDiscover Financial Services dividend yieldNasdaq dividend yieldDiscover Financial Services ROENasdaq ROEDiscover Financial Services operating marginNasdaq operating marginDiscover Financial Services revenue growthNasdaq revenue growthDiscover Financial Services free cash flowNasdaq free cash flow
Discover Financial Services & Nasdaq 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 17, 2026.