Capital One Financial (COF) 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 Capital One Financial (COF) over the past year, losing 1.2% versus a loss of 8.3%. Over five years, MA leads with a +61.0% price change compared with +16.3% for COF. Mastercard is the larger company by market cap ($499.38 billion vs $120.19 billion), about 4.2 times the size, while Capital One Financial is growing revenue faster (+36.6% vs +16.4%).
On valuation, Capital One Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (8.2x vs 24.8x for Mastercard). Capital One Financial offers the higher dividend yield (1.53% vs 0.59%). Mastercard converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 45.6% versus 4.6%.
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 | COF | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $195.91 | $570.06 |
| Market cap | $120.19B | $499.38B |
| 1-day change | +0.05% | +0.61% |
| YTD return | -19.17% | +0.39% |
| 1-year return | -8.32% | -1.16% |
| 5-year return | +16.35% | +60.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.58 | 31.25 |
| Forward P/E | 8.24 | 24.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $15.57 | $18.24 |
| Dividend yield | 1.53% | 0.59% |
| Annual dividend | $3.00 | $3.37 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $53.43B | $32.79B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +36.62% | +16.42% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.45B | $14.97B |
| Operating margin | — | 57.63% |
| Net margin | 4.59% | 45.65% |
| 52-week high | $259.64 | $601.23 |
| 52-week low | $174.24 | $464.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.55% | -5.18% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +31.28% | +16.95% |
| Average volume | 3.70M | 2.84M |
| Shares outstanding | 613.48M | 869.46M |
| Employees | 78,400 | 39,800 |
| Sector | Finance | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Major Banks | 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 4.2 times larger than Capital One Financial by market value ($499.38B vs $120.19B).
- Mastercard trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.3x vs 12.6x trailing P/E).
- Mastercard is more profitable, keeping 45.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.6 cents for Capital One Financial.
- Capital One Financial grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+36.62% vs +16.42%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Capital One Financial in Finance and Mastercard in Consumer Discretionary.
About Capital One Financial
COF stock →Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One, National Association, which engages in the provision of various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking.
Finance · Major Banks · 78,400 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
COF vs MA FAQ
Which is bigger, Capital One Financial or Mastercard?
Mastercard (MA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $499.38B compared with $120.19B for Capital One Financial (COF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, COF or MA?
MA returned -1.16% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.32% for COF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, COF or MA?
COF has the lower trailing P/E at 12.6, 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, Capital One Financial or Mastercard?
Capital One Financial has the higher yield at 1.53%, compared with 0.59% for Mastercard.
Are Capital One Financial and Mastercard in the same industry?
No. Capital One Financial is in the Finance sector, while Mastercard is in Consumer Discretionary.