Mastercard (MA) vs Visa (V)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Visa (V) has outperformed Mastercard (MA) over the past year, gaining 6.1% versus a loss of 1.2%. Over five years, V leads with a +61.9% price change compared with +61.0% for MA. Visa is the larger company by market cap ($698.56 billion vs $499.38 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while Mastercard is growing revenue faster (+16.4% vs +11.3%).
On valuation, Mastercard trades at a lower forward P/E (24.8x vs 24.8x for Visa). Visa offers the higher dividend yield (0.72% vs 0.59%). Visa converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 50.1% versus 45.6%.
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 | MA | V |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $570.06 | $372.10 |
| Market cap | $499.38B | $698.56B |
| 1-day change | +0.61% | +0.39% |
| YTD return | +0.39% | +6.64% |
| 1-year return | -1.16% | +6.12% |
| 5-year return | +60.99% | +61.90% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.25 | 31.67 |
| Forward P/E | 24.76 | 24.80 |
| EPS (TTM) | $18.24 | $11.75 |
| Dividend yield | 0.59% | 0.72% |
| Annual dividend | $3.37 | $2.68 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $32.79B | $40.00B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +16.42% | +11.34% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $14.97B | $20.06B |
| Operating margin | 57.63% | 59.98% |
| Net margin | 45.65% | 50.14% |
| 52-week high | $601.23 | $385.57 |
| 52-week low | $464.52 | $293.89 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.18% | -3.49% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.95% | +12.70% |
| Average volume | 2.84M | 6.61M |
| Shares outstanding | 869.46M | 1.70B |
| Employees | 39,800 | 34,100 |
| 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
- Mastercard grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+16.42% vs +11.34%).
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.
Financial Services · Credit Services · 39,800 employees
About Visa
V stock →Visa Inc. operates as a payment technology company in the United States and internationally.
Financial Services · Credit Services · 34,100 employees
MA vs V FAQ
Which is bigger, Mastercard or Visa?
Visa (V) is larger, with a market capitalization of $698.56B compared with $499.38B for Mastercard (MA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MA or V?
V returned +6.12% over the past 12 months, compared with -1.16% for MA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MA or V?
MA has the lower trailing P/E at 31.3, versus 31.7 for V. 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 Visa?
Visa has the higher yield at 0.72%, compared with 0.59% for Mastercard.
Are Mastercard and Visa in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Credit Services industry within the Financial Services sector.