Affirm (AFRM) vs Mastercard (MA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Mastercard (MA) has outperformed Affirm (AFRM) over the past year, losing 1.7% versus a loss of 1.7%. Over five years, MA leads with a +60.1% price change compared with -48.7% for AFRM. Mastercard is the larger company by market cap ($499.38 billion vs $25.41 billion), about 19.7 times the size, while Affirm is growing revenue faster (+32.2% vs +16.4%).
On valuation, Affirm trades at a lower forward P/E (15.6x vs 24.8x for Mastercard). Mastercard pays a dividend yielding 0.59%, while Affirm does not currently pay one. Mastercard converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 45.6% versus 45.3%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AFRM | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $75.31 | $570.06 |
| Market cap | $25.41B | $499.38B |
| 1-day change | +0.57% | +0.61% |
| YTD return | +1.18% | -0.14% |
| 1-year return | -1.75% | -1.69% |
| 5-year return | -48.67% | +60.13% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.62 | 31.25 |
| Forward P/E | 15.60 | 24.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.53 | $18.24 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.59% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $3.37 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.26B | $32.79B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +32.15% | +16.42% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.93B | $14.97B |
| Operating margin | 9.79% | 57.63% |
| Net margin | 45.29% | 45.65% |
| 52-week high | $90.44 | $601.23 |
| 52-week low | $42.10 | $464.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.73% | -5.18% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +31.01% | +16.95% |
| Average volume | 4.22M | 2.84M |
| Shares outstanding | 296.88M | 869.46M |
| Employees | 2,358 | 39,800 |
| Sector | Finance | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Finance: Consumer Services | Business Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Mastercard is about 19.7 times larger than Affirm by market value ($499.38B vs $25.41B).
- Mastercard trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.3x vs 13.6x trailing P/E).
- Affirm grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+32.15% vs +16.42%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Affirm in Finance and Mastercard in Consumer Discretionary.
About Affirm
AFRM stock →Affirm Holdings, Inc. operates payment network in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Finance · Finance: Consumer Services · 2,358 employees
About Mastercard
MA stock →Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers products and services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; consumer bill payment services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.
Consumer Discretionary · Business Services · 39,800 employees
AFRM vs MA FAQ
Which is bigger, Affirm or Mastercard?
Mastercard (MA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $499.38B compared with $25.41B for Affirm (AFRM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AFRM or MA?
MA returned -1.69% over the past 12 months, compared with -1.75% for AFRM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AFRM or MA?
AFRM has the lower trailing P/E at 13.6, versus 31.3 for MA. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Affirm or Mastercard?
Mastercard pays a dividend yielding 0.59%, while Affirm does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Affirm and Mastercard in the same industry?
No. Affirm is in the Finance sector, while Mastercard is in Consumer Discretionary.