Mastercard Incorporated (MA) vs PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL)
MA leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though PYPL is the cheaper stock.
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 June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
MA
Mastercard Incorporated
$489.98Financial Services
PYPL
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
$41.53Financial Services
Total return — MA vs PYPL
growth of $100 · last 11yMA +418.4%PYPL +13.1%MA compounded faster
MA PYPL
MA vs PYPL: by the numbers
- •MA is the larger company ($432.94B vs $36.63B market cap).
- •PYPL trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.79 vs 28.36 P/E).
- •MA converts more revenue to profit (45.88% vs 15.00% net margin).
- •MA grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.05% vs 8.09% CAGR).
- •PYPL pays the higher dividend yield (1.01% vs 0.67%).
Which is better, MA or PYPL?
Metric tally: MA 9 · PYPL 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValuePYPL(lower P/E)
GrowthMA(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePYPL(higher dividend yield)
QualityMA(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 28.36 | 7.79● |
| Forward P/E | 21.48 | 7.21● |
| P/S ratio | 12.89 | 1.13● |
| P/B ratio | 65.09 | 1.91● |
| PEG ratio | 1.81 | 0.30● |
| EV / EBITDA | 21.13 | 5.62● |
| FCF yield | 4.05% | 14.43%● |
Profitability
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 82.96%● | 46.12% |
| Operating margin | 59.40%● | 17.85% |
| Net margin | 45.88%● | 15.00% |
| ROE | 231.63%● | 25.26% |
| ROIC | 48.63%● | 14.95% |
Dividends
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.67% | 1.01%● |
| Payout ratio | 19.70% | 7.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 17.05%● | 8.09% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 20.93%● | 8.81% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 23.43%● | 0.75% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.65%● | -31.17% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, MA or PYPL?
- It depends on your goal. value: PYPL (lower P/E); growth: MA (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PYPL (higher dividend yield); quality: MA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MA leads 9 to 8.
- Is MA or PYPL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, PYPL is cheaper: MA trades at a 28.36 P/E and PYPL at 7.79.
- 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 8.09%.
- Does MA or PYPL pay a bigger dividend?
- MA yields 0.67% and PYPL yields 1.01% 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 15.00%.
- Which has been the better investment, MA or PYPL?
- Over the past 10-year, MA delivered the higher annualized total return — MA at 18.49% versus PYPL at 1.31%. 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 June 13, 2026.