Discover Financial Services (DFS) vs Visa Inc. (V)

DFS leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Discover Financial Services and Visa 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 V

growth of $100 · last 17y
DFS +1216.1%V +2484.0%V compounded faster
05001k2k2k3kStart $10020112014201720202023$1,316$2,584
DFS V

DFS vs V: by the numbers

  • V is the larger company ($617.97B vs $50.34B market cap).
  • DFS trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.67 vs 28.08 P/E).
  • V converts more revenue to profit (51.68% vs 21.65% net margin).
  • V grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.04% vs 13.84% CAGR).
  • DFS pays the higher dividend yield (1.40% vs 0.81%).

Which is better, DFS or V?

Metric tally: DFS 10 · V 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDFS(lower P/E)
GrowthV(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeDFS(higher dividend yield)
QualityDFS(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricDFSV
P/E ratio10.6728.08
Forward P/E12.5921.63
P/S ratio2.2814.48
P/B ratio2.6617.48
PEG ratio0.156.71
EV / EBITDA6.7522.47
FCF yield16.78%3.40%

Profitability

MetricDFSV
Gross margin65.86%81.29%
Operating margin34.55%61.12%
Net margin21.65%51.68%
ROE25.29%62.35%
ROIC32.48%28.36%

Dividends

MetricDFSV
Dividend yield1.40%0.81%
Payout ratio15.81%25.44%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDFSV
Revenue CAGR (5Y)13.84%15.04%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.26%15.84%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.87%13.41%
Total return CAGR (5Y)42.63%7.33%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DFS or V?
It depends on your goal. value: DFS (lower P/E); growth: V (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DFS (higher dividend yield); quality: DFS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DFS leads 10 to 7.
Is DFS or V cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DFS is cheaper: DFS trades at a 10.67 P/E and V at 28.08.
Which has grown faster, DFS or V?
Over the past five years, V grew revenue faster — DFS at a 13.84% CAGR versus V at 15.04%.
Does DFS or V pay a bigger dividend?
DFS yields 1.40% and V yields 0.81% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DFS or V more profitable?
V runs the higher net margin — DFS at 21.65% versus V at 51.68%.
Which has been the better investment, DFS or V?
Over the past 10-year, V delivered the higher annualized total return — DFS at 15.34% versus V at 15.73%. 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.