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 July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
MA
Mastercard Incorporated
$562.75Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
PYPL
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
$58.32Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — MA vs PYPL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 11yMA +535.6%PYPL +59.9%MA compounded faster
MA PYPL
MA vs PYPL: by the numbers
- •MA is the larger company ($497.23B vs $51.44B market cap).
- •PYPL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.52 vs 31.93 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MA converts more revenue to profit (45.88% vs 14.36% net margin).
- •MA grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.05% vs 7.43% CAGR).
- •PYPL pays the higher dividend yield (0.75% vs 0.59%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 31.93 | 10.52 |
| Forward P/E | 28.09 | 10.56 |
| P/S ratio | 14.52 | 1.53 |
| P/B ratio | 73.29 | 2.58 |
| PEG ratio | 1.83 | 0.30 |
Profitability
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 82.96% | 45.75% |
| Operating margin | 59.40% | 18.78% |
| Net margin | 45.88% | 14.36% |
| ROE | 231.63% | 24.73% |
| ROIC | 48.63% | 14.95% |
Dividends
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.59% | 0.75% |
| Payout ratio | 19.70% | 7.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 17.05% | 7.43% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 20.93% | 8.81% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.55% | -27.93% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, MA or PYPL?
- PYPL has the lower trailing P/E: MA trades at 31.93 and PYPL at 10.52. 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 17.05% CAGR versus PYPL at 7.43%.
- Does MA or PYPL pay a bigger dividend?
- MA yields 0.59% and PYPL yields 0.75% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is MA or PYPL more profitable?
- MA runs the higher net margin — MA at 45.88% versus PYPL at 14.36%.
- How have MA and PYPL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, MA delivered 20.01% and PYPL delivered 4.66% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Mastercard P/E ratioPayPal P/E ratioMastercard dividend yieldPayPal dividend yieldMastercard ROEPayPal ROEMastercard operating marginPayPal operating marginMastercard revenue growthPayPal revenue growthMastercard free cash flowPayPal free cash flow
Mastercard & PayPal 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 July 28, 2026.