Mastercard Incorporated (MA) vs PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL)

A side-by-side comparison of Mastercard Incorporated and PayPal Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnMA vs PYPL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
MA +520.3% (+20.0%/yr)PYPL +36.1% (+3.1%/yr)MA compounded faster over this window
200400600800Start $10020182020202220242026$620$136
MA PYPL

MA vs PYPL: by the numbers

  • MA is the larger company ($499.20B vs $45.96B market cap).
  • PYPL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.16 vs 31.31 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • MA converts more revenue to profit (46.34% vs 14.36% net margin).
  • MA grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.09% vs 7.43% CAGR).
  • PYPL pays the higher dividend yield (0.81% vs 0.60%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricMAPYPL
P/E ratio31.3110.16
Forward P/E28.529.97
P/S ratio14.231.35
P/B ratio88.972.32

Profitability

MetricMAPYPL
Gross margin100.00%45.75%
Operating margin59.84%18.78%
Net margin46.34%14.36%
ROE289.73%24.73%

Dividends

MetricMAPYPL
Dividend yield0.60%0.81%
Payout ratio18.54%7.94%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMAPYPL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)16.09%7.43%
EPS CAGR (5Y)20.93%8.81%
Total return CAGR (5Y)10.88%-28.73%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, MA or PYPL?
PYPL has the lower trailing P/E: MA trades at 31.31 and PYPL at 10.16. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, MA or PYPL?
Over the past five years, MA grew revenue faster — MA at a 16.09% CAGR versus PYPL at 7.43%.
Does MA or PYPL pay a bigger dividend?
MA yields 0.60% and PYPL yields 0.81% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is MA or PYPL more profitable?
MA runs the higher net margin — MA at 46.34% versus PYPL at 14.36%.
How have MA and PYPL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, MA delivered 19.83% and PYPL delivered 3.33% annualized total return. 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 September 11, 2026.