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.
MA
Mastercard Incorporated
$569.19Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
PYPL
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
$53.72Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — MA vs PYPL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yMA +520.3% (+20.0%/yr)PYPL +36.1% (+3.1%/yr)MA compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 31.31 | 10.16 |
| Forward P/E | 28.52 | 9.97 |
| P/S ratio | 14.23 | 1.35 |
| P/B ratio | 88.97 | 2.32 |
Profitability
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 100.00% | 45.75% |
| Operating margin | 59.84% | 18.78% |
| Net margin | 46.34% | 14.36% |
| ROE | 289.73% | 24.73% |
Dividends
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.60% | 0.81% |
| Payout ratio | 18.54% | 7.94% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MA | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 growth
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 September 11, 2026.