The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) vs Mastercard Incorporated (MA)

MA leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though GS is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated 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 — GS vs MA

growth of $100 · last 20y
GS +621.4%MA +10551.7%MA compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $10020102014201820222026$721$10,652
GS MA

GS vs MA: by the numbers

  • MA is the larger company ($432.94B vs $313.52B market cap).
  • GS trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.41 vs 28.36 P/E).
  • MA converts more revenue to profit (45.88% vs 16.31% net margin).
  • MA grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.05% vs 12.83% CAGR).
  • GS pays the higher dividend yield (1.60% vs 0.67%).

Which is better, GS or MA?

Metric tally: GS 7 · MA 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueGS(lower P/E)
GrowthMA(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeGS(higher dividend yield)
QualityMA(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricGSMA
P/E ratio19.4128.36
Forward P/E17.9321.48
P/S ratio2.9512.89
P/B ratio2.6765.09
PEG ratio0.611.81
EV / EBITDA42.9021.13
FCF yield4.05%

Profitability

MetricGSMA
Gross margin55.55%82.96%
Operating margin20.48%59.40%
Net margin16.31%45.88%
ROE14.72%231.63%
ROIC1.92%48.63%

Dividends

MetricGSMA
Dividend yield1.60%0.67%
Payout ratio32.72%19.70%

Growth (annualized)

MetricGSMA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)12.83%17.05%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.75%20.93%
FCF CAGR (5Y)1.47%23.43%
Total return CAGR (5Y)25.96%6.65%

Frequently asked

Which is better, GS or MA?
It depends on your goal. value: GS (lower P/E); growth: MA (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: GS (higher dividend yield); quality: MA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MA leads 9 to 7.
Is GS or MA cheaper?
On trailing earnings, GS is cheaper: GS trades at a 19.41 P/E and MA at 28.36.
Which has grown faster, GS or MA?
Over the past five years, MA grew revenue faster — GS at a 12.83% CAGR versus MA at 17.05%.
Does GS or MA pay a bigger dividend?
GS yields 1.60% and MA yields 0.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is GS or MA more profitable?
MA runs the higher net margin — GS at 16.31% versus MA at 45.88%.
Which has been the better investment, GS or MA?
Over the past 10-year, GS delivered the higher annualized total return — GS at 24.15% versus MA at 18.49%. 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.