FirstCash (FCFS) vs PayPal (PYPL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
FirstCash (FCFS) has outperformed PayPal (PYPL) over the past year, gaining 38.4% versus a loss of 26.7%. Over five years, FCFS leads with a +146.9% price change compared with -79.3% for PYPL. PayPal is the larger company by market cap ($47.50 billion vs $9.27 billion), about 5.1 times the size, while FirstCash is growing revenue faster (+8.0% vs +4.3%).
On valuation, PayPal trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 16.5x for FirstCash). PayPal offers the higher dividend yield (1.01% vs 0.79%). PayPal converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.8% versus 9.0%.
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 | FCFS | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $213.70 | $55.53 |
| Market cap | $9.27B | $47.50B |
| 1-day change | +1.04% | +0.93% |
| YTD return | +34.08% | -4.88% |
| 1-year return | +38.40% | -26.69% |
| 5-year return | +146.91% | -79.31% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.31 | 10.40 |
| Forward P/E | 16.46 | 9.61 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.79 | $5.34 |
| Dividend yield | 0.79% | 1.01% |
| Annual dividend | $1.68 | $0.56 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.66B | $33.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.04% | +4.32% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $330.38M | $5.23B |
| Gross margin | 50.28% | — |
| Operating margin | — | 18.28% |
| Net margin | 9.02% | 15.78% |
| 52-week high | $238.93 | $79.22 |
| 52-week low | $146.77 | $38.46 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.56% | -29.90% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.87% | +2.45% |
| Average volume | 418.02K | 14.14M |
| Shares outstanding | 43.37M | 855.46M |
| Employees | — | 23,800 |
| Sector | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| Industry | Credit Services | Credit 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
- PayPal is about 5.1 times larger than FirstCash by market value ($47.50B vs $9.27B).
- FCFS has outperformed PYPL by 65.1 percentage points over the past year.
- FirstCash trades at a higher earnings multiple (24.3x vs 10.4x trailing P/E).
- PayPal is more profitable, keeping 15.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 9.0 cents for FirstCash.
About FirstCash
FCFS stock →FirstCash Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates retail pawn stores in the United States, Mexico, rest of Latin America, and the United Kingdom. The company operates through four segments: U.S.
Financial Services · Credit Services
About PayPal
PYPL stock →PayPal Holdings, Inc. operates a technology platform that enables digital payments for merchants and consumers worldwide.
Financial Services · Credit Services · 23,800 employees
FCFS vs PYPL FAQ
Which is bigger, FirstCash or PayPal?
PayPal (PYPL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $47.50B compared with $9.27B for FirstCash (FCFS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FCFS or PYPL?
FCFS returned +38.40% over the past 12 months, compared with -26.69% for PYPL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FCFS or PYPL?
PYPL has the lower trailing P/E at 10.4, versus 24.3 for FCFS. 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, FirstCash or PayPal?
PayPal has the higher yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.79% for FirstCash.
Are FirstCash and PayPal in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Credit Services industry within the Financial Services sector.