PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) vs Synchrony Financial (SYF)
SYF leads on 12 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of PayPal Holdings, Inc. and Synchrony Financial 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).
PYPL
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
$41.53Financial Services
SYF
Synchrony Financial
$73.36Financial Services
Total return — PYPL vs SYF
growth of $100 · last 11yPYPL +13.1%SYF +125.7%SYF compounded faster
PYPL SYF
PYPL vs SYF: by the numbers
- •PYPL is the larger company ($36.63B vs $24.68B market cap).
- •SYF trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.59 vs 7.79 P/E).
- •SYF converts more revenue to profit (18.08% vs 15.00% net margin).
- •SYF grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.42% vs 8.09% CAGR).
- •SYF pays the higher dividend yield (1.64% vs 1.01%).
Which is better, PYPL or SYF?
Metric tally: PYPL 5 · SYF 12It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueSYF(lower P/E)
GrowthSYF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSYF(higher dividend yield)
QualityPYPL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | PYPL | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 7.79 | 7.59● |
| Forward P/E | 7.21● | 7.90 |
| P/S ratio | 1.13● | 1.27 |
| P/B ratio | 1.91 | 1.54● |
| PEG ratio | 0.30● | 1.02 |
| EV / EBITDA | 5.62 | 4.30● |
| FCF yield | 14.43% | 38.76%● |
Profitability
| Metric | PYPL | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 46.12% | 61.08%● |
| Operating margin | 17.85% | 22.85%● |
| Net margin | 15.00% | 18.08%● |
| ROE | 25.26%● | 21.85% |
| ROIC | 14.95%● | 9.36% |
Dividends
| Metric | PYPL | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.01% | 1.64%● |
| Payout ratio | 7.69% | 12.83% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PYPL | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.09% | 10.42%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.81% | 32.61%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 0.75% | 4.77%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -31.17% | 10.68%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, PYPL or SYF?
- It depends on your goal. value: SYF (lower P/E); growth: SYF (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SYF (higher dividend yield); quality: PYPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SYF leads 12 to 5.
- Is PYPL or SYF cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, SYF is cheaper: PYPL trades at a 7.79 P/E and SYF at 7.59.
- Which has grown faster, PYPL or SYF?
- Over the past five years, SYF grew revenue faster — PYPL at a 8.09% CAGR versus SYF at 10.42%.
- Does PYPL or SYF pay a bigger dividend?
- PYPL yields 1.01% and SYF yields 1.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is PYPL or SYF more profitable?
- SYF runs the higher net margin — PYPL at 15.00% versus SYF at 18.08%.
- Which has been the better investment, PYPL or SYF?
- Over the past 10-year, SYF delivered the higher annualized total return — PYPL at 1.31% versus SYF at 11.66%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
PayPal P/E ratioSynchrony Financial P/E ratioPayPal dividend yieldSynchrony Financial dividend yieldPayPal ROESynchrony Financial ROEPayPal operating marginSynchrony Financial operating marginPayPal revenue growthSynchrony Financial revenue growthPayPal free cash flowSynchrony Financial free cash flow
PayPal & Synchrony Financial 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.