Mastercard Incorporated (MA) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)

MA leads on 8 of 14 compared metrics, though QCOM is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Mastercard Incorporated and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — MA vs QCOM

growth of $100 · last 20y
MA +10551.7%QCOM +359.7%MA compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $10020102014201820222026$10,652$460
MA QCOM

MA vs QCOM: by the numbers

  • MA is the larger company ($432.94B vs $223.15B market cap).
  • QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.72 vs 28.36 P/E).
  • MA converts more revenue to profit (45.88% vs 22.31% net margin).
  • MA grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.05% vs 8.63% CAGR).
  • QCOM pays the higher dividend yield (1.70% vs 0.67%).

Which is better, MA or QCOM?

Metric tally: MA 8 · QCOM 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricMAQCOM
P/E ratio28.3622.72
Forward P/E21.4819.72
P/S ratio12.895.10
P/B ratio65.098.32
PEG ratio1.813.96
EV / EBITDA16.71
FCF yield5.51%

Profitability

MetricMAQCOM
Gross margin82.96%54.80%
Operating margin59.40%25.52%
Net margin45.88%22.31%
ROE231.63%36.38%
ROIC48.63%13.15%

Dividends

MetricMAQCOM
Dividend yield0.67%1.70%
Payout ratio19.70%70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMAQCOM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)17.05%8.63%
EPS CAGR (5Y)20.93%5.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.39%
Total return CAGR (5Y)6.65%11.87%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MA or QCOM?
It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); growth: MA (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: QCOM (higher dividend yield); quality: MA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MA leads 8 to 6.
Is MA or QCOM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: MA trades at a 28.36 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.
Which has grown faster, MA or QCOM?
Over the past five years, MA grew revenue faster — MA at a 17.05% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
Does MA or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
MA yields 0.67% and QCOM yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is MA or QCOM more profitable?
MA runs the higher net margin — MA at 45.88% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
Which has been the better investment, MA or QCOM?
Over the past 10-year, MA delivered the higher annualized total return — MA at 18.49% versus QCOM at 17.83%. 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 15, 2026.