Mastercard Incorporated (MA) vs VeriSign, Inc. (VRSN)

MA leads on 11 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Mastercard Incorporated and VeriSign, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — MA vs VRSN

growth of $100 · last 20y
MA +10551.7%VRSN +1159.1%MA compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $10020102014201820222026$10,652$1,259
MA VRSN

MA vs VRSN: by the numbers

  • MA is the larger company ($432.94B vs $25.47B market cap).
  • MA trades at the lower earnings multiple (28.36 vs 30.93 P/E).
  • VRSN converts more revenue to profit (49.96% vs 45.88% net margin).
  • MA grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.05% vs 5.69% CAGR).
  • VRSN pays the higher dividend yield (1.13% vs 0.67%).

Which is better, MA or VRSN?

Metric tally: MA 11 · VRSN 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricMAVRSN
P/E ratio28.3630.93
Forward P/E21.4828.46
P/S ratio12.8915.26
P/B ratio65.09
PEG ratio1.812.66
EV / EBITDA21.1322.63
FCF yield4.05%4.08%

Profitability

MetricMAVRSN
Gross margin82.96%88.35%
Operating margin59.40%67.93%
Net margin45.88%49.96%
ROE231.63%-38.33%
ROIC48.63%-61876.44%

Dividends

MetricMAVRSN
Dividend yield0.67%1.13%
Payout ratio19.70%35.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMAVRSN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)17.05%5.69%
EPS CAGR (5Y)20.93%4.52%
FCF CAGR (5Y)23.43%8.12%
Total return CAGR (5Y)6.65%5.15%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MA or VRSN?
It depends on your goal. value: MA (lower P/E); growth: MA (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: VRSN (higher dividend yield); quality: MA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MA leads 11 to 4.
Is MA or VRSN cheaper?
On trailing earnings, MA is cheaper: MA trades at a 28.36 P/E and VRSN at 30.93.
Which has grown faster, MA or VRSN?
Over the past five years, MA grew revenue faster — MA at a 17.05% CAGR versus VRSN at 5.69%.
Does MA or VRSN pay a bigger dividend?
MA yields 0.67% and VRSN yields 1.13% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is MA or VRSN more profitable?
VRSN runs the higher net margin — MA at 45.88% versus VRSN at 49.96%.
Which has been the better investment, MA or VRSN?
Over the past 10-year, MA delivered the higher annualized total return — MA at 18.49% versus VRSN at 12.87%. 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 14, 2026.