Shift4 Payments (FOUR) vs Maximus (MMS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Maximus (MMS) has outperformed Shift4 Payments (FOUR) over the past year, losing 38.3% versus a loss of 50.1%. Over five years, MMS leads with a -35.5% price change compared with -48.5% for FOUR. Shift4 Payments is the larger company by market cap ($3.08 billion vs $2.91 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Shift4 Payments trades at a lower forward P/E (6.4x vs 6.7x for Maximus). Maximus pays a dividend yielding 2.26%, while Shift4 Payments does not currently pay one.
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 | FOUR | MMS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $38.99 | $55.65 |
| Market cap | $3.08B | $2.91B |
| 1-day change | +1.27% | +1.77% |
| YTD return | -38.08% | -35.53% |
| 1-year return | -50.08% | -38.32% |
| 5-year return | -48.46% | -35.49% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 61.89 | 8.23 |
| Forward P/E | 6.43 | 6.66 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.63 | $6.76 |
| Dividend yield | 15.58% | 2.26% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.26 |
| 52-week high | $80.98 | $100.00 |
| 52-week low | $34.56 | $51.04 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -51.85% | -44.35% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +38.24% | +66.22% |
| Average volume | 1.82M | 645.25K |
| Shares outstanding | 78.96M | 52.36M |
| Employees | 6,300 | 37,200 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Business 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
- MMS has outperformed FOUR by 11.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Shift4 Payments trades at a higher earnings multiple (61.9x vs 8.2x trailing P/E).
- Shift4 Payments offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (15.58% vs 2.26%).
About Shift4 Payments
FOUR stock →Shift4 Payments, Inc. engages in the provision of software and payment processing solutions in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Business Services · 6,300 employees
About Maximus
MMS stock →Maximus, Inc. operates as a provider of government services worldwide.
Consumer Discretionary · Business Services · 37,200 employees
FOUR vs MMS FAQ
Which is bigger, Shift4 Payments or Maximus?
Shift4 Payments (FOUR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.08B compared with $2.91B for Maximus (MMS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FOUR or MMS?
MMS returned -38.32% over the past 12 months, compared with -50.08% for FOUR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FOUR or MMS?
MMS has the lower trailing P/E at 8.2, versus 61.9 for FOUR. 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, Shift4 Payments or Maximus?
Shift4 Payments has the higher yield at 15.58%, compared with 2.26% for Maximus.
Are Shift4 Payments and Maximus in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Business Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.