Mastercard (MA) vs Synchrony Financial (SYF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Synchrony Financial (SYF) has outperformed Mastercard (MA) over the past year, gaining 1.5% versus a loss of 1.7%. Over five years, MA leads with a +60.1% price change compared with +43.3% for SYF. Mastercard is the larger company by market cap ($499.38 billion vs $23.40 billion), about 21.3 times the size.
On valuation, Synchrony Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (6.9x vs 24.8x for Mastercard). Synchrony Financial offers the higher dividend yield (1.67% vs 0.59%). Mastercard converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 45.6% versus 18.7%.
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 | MA | SYF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $570.06 | $71.93 |
| Market cap | $499.38B | $23.40B |
| 1-day change | +0.61% | -0.32% |
| YTD return | -0.14% | -13.78% |
| 1-year return | -1.69% | +1.45% |
| 5-year return | +60.13% | +43.34% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.25 | 7.36 |
| Forward P/E | 24.76 | 6.87 |
| EPS (TTM) | $18.24 | $9.77 |
| Dividend yield | 0.59% | 1.67% |
| Annual dividend | $3.37 | $1.20 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $32.79B | $18.99B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +16.42% | -2.80% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $14.97B | $3.55B |
| Operating margin | 57.63% | — |
| Net margin | 45.65% | 18.71% |
| 52-week high | $601.23 | $88.77 |
| 52-week low | $464.52 | $63.08 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.18% | -18.97% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.95% | +23.01% |
| Average volume | 2.84M | 3.39M |
| Shares outstanding | 869.46M | 325.37M |
| Employees | 39,800 | 20,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Finance |
| Industry | Business Services | Finance: Consumer 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 21.3 times larger than Synchrony Financial by market value ($499.38B vs $23.40B).
- Mastercard trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.3x vs 7.4x trailing P/E).
- Synchrony Financial offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.67% vs 0.59%).
- Mastercard is more profitable, keeping 45.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 18.7 cents for Synchrony Financial.
- Mastercard grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+16.42% vs -2.80%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Mastercard in Consumer Discretionary and Synchrony Financial in Finance.
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
About Synchrony Financial
SYF stock →Synchrony Financial, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer financial services company in the United States. The company provides credit products, such as credit cards, commercial credit products, and consumer installment loans.
Finance · Finance: Consumer Services · 20,000 employees
MA vs SYF FAQ
Which is bigger, Mastercard or Synchrony Financial?
Mastercard (MA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $499.38B compared with $23.40B for Synchrony Financial (SYF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MA or SYF?
SYF returned +1.45% over the past 12 months, compared with -1.69% for MA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MA or SYF?
SYF has the lower trailing P/E at 7.4, 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, Mastercard or Synchrony Financial?
Synchrony Financial has the higher yield at 1.67%, compared with 0.59% for Mastercard.
Are Mastercard and Synchrony Financial in the same industry?
No. Mastercard is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Synchrony Financial is in Finance.