Discover Financial Services (DFS) vs Block, Inc. (SQ)

DFS leads on 13 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Discover Financial Services and Block, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — DFS vs SQ

growth of $100 · last 9y
DFS +250.6%SQ +578.4%SQ compounded faster
05001k2k2kStart $10020172019202120232025$351$678
DFS SQ

DFS vs SQ: by the numbers

  • SQ is the larger company ($51.73B vs $50.34B market cap).
  • DFS trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.67 vs 49.81 P/E).
  • DFS is profitable (21.65% net margin) while SQ runs a net loss (-2.04%).
  • DFS grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.84% vs 13.19% CAGR).
  • DFS pays a dividend (1.40% yield) while SQ does not currently pay one.

Which is better, DFS or SQ?

Metric tally: DFS 13 · SQ 2

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDFS(lower P/E)
GrowthDFS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityDFS(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricDFSSQ
P/E ratio10.6749.81
Forward P/E12.59
P/S ratio2.282.35
P/B ratio2.662.82
PEG ratio0.15696.22
EV / EBITDA6.7526.61
FCF yield16.78%1.28%

Profitability

MetricDFSSQ
Gross margin65.86%44.85%
Operating margin34.55%4.93%
Net margin21.65%-2.04%
ROE25.29%-2.30%
ROIC32.48%-12.82%

Dividends

MetricDFSSQ
Dividend yield1.40%
Payout ratio15.81%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDFSSQ
Revenue CAGR (5Y)13.84%13.19%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.26%34.72%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.87%64.00%
Total return CAGR (5Y)42.63%4.50%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DFS or SQ?
It depends on your goal. value: DFS (lower P/E); growth: DFS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: DFS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DFS leads 13 to 2.
Is DFS or SQ cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DFS is cheaper: DFS trades at a 10.67 P/E and SQ at 49.81.
Which has grown faster, DFS or SQ?
Over the past five years, DFS grew revenue faster — DFS at a 13.84% CAGR versus SQ at 13.19%.
Does DFS or SQ pay a bigger dividend?
DFS pays a dividend (1.40% yield) while SQ does not currently pay one.
Is DFS or SQ more profitable?
DFS runs the higher net margin — DFS at 21.65% versus SQ at -2.04%.
Which has been the better investment, DFS or SQ?
Over the past 5-year, DFS delivered the higher annualized total return — DFS at 15.34% versus SQ at 4.50%. 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 13, 2026.