Discover Financial Services (DFS) vs Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ)
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 August 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
DFS
Discover Financial Services
$200.05Financial ServicesAt close: May 16, 2025, 4:00 PM ET
NDAQ
Nasdaq, Inc.
$94.19Financial ServicesAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — DFS vs NDAQ
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 18yDFS +852.4%NDAQ +851.1%DFS compounded faster
DFS NDAQ
DFS vs NDAQ: by the numbers
- •NDAQ is the larger company ($52.65B vs $50.34B market cap).
- •DFS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.67 vs 27.46 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NDAQ converts more revenue to profit (22.60% vs 21.65% net margin).
- •DFS grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.84% vs 7.96% CAGR).
- •DFS pays the higher dividend yield (1.40% vs 1.19%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | DFS | NDAQ |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 10.67 | 27.46 |
| Forward P/E | 12.59 | 22.86 |
| P/S ratio | 2.28 | 6.14 |
| P/B ratio | 2.66 | 4.46 |
| PEG ratio | 0.15 | 0.51 |
Profitability
| Metric | DFS | NDAQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 89.46% | 47.93% |
| Operating margin | 88.29% | 31.58% |
| Net margin | 21.65% | 22.60% |
| ROE | 25.29% | 16.42% |
| ROIC | 32.48% | 8.26% |
Dividends
| Metric | DFS | NDAQ |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.40% | 1.19% |
| Payout ratio | 15.81% | 35.78% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DFS | NDAQ |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 13.84% | 7.96% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 14.26% | 10.62% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 42.63% | 10.12% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, DFS or NDAQ?
- DFS has the lower trailing P/E: DFS trades at 10.67 and NDAQ at 27.46. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- 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 7.96%.
- Does DFS or NDAQ pay a bigger dividend?
- DFS yields 1.40% and NDAQ yields 1.19% 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 22.60%.
- How have DFS and NDAQ total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, DFS delivered 15.34% and NDAQ delivered 16.69% annualized total return. 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 August 1, 2026.