PayPal (PYPL) vs Block (XYZ)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 21, 2026.
Summary
Block (XYZ) has outperformed PayPal (PYPL) over the past year, gaining 0.6% versus a loss of 18.3%. Over five years, XYZ leads with a -69.3% price change compared with -75.4% for PYPL. PayPal is the larger company by market cap ($48.93 billion vs $46.99 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, PayPal trades at a lower forward P/E (9.9x vs 15.0x for Block). PayPal pays a dividend yielding 0.98%, while Block does not currently pay one. PayPal converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.8% versus 5.4%.
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 | PYPL | XYZ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $57.20 | $78.21 |
| Market cap | $48.93B | $46.99B |
| 1-day change | +0.11% | +0.14% |
| YTD return | -2.02% | +20.16% |
| 1-year return | -18.34% | +0.62% |
| 5-year return | -75.41% | -69.27% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 10.81 | 139.66 |
| Forward P/E | 9.90 | 15.01 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.29 | $0.56 |
| Dividend yield | 0.98% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.56 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $33.17B | $24.19B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.32% | +0.30% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $5.23B | $1.31B |
| Gross margin | — | 42.82% |
| Operating margin | 18.28% | 7.06% |
| Net margin | 15.78% | 5.40% |
| 52-week high | $79.22 | $86.92 |
| 52-week low | $38.46 | $48.21 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -27.79% | -10.02% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -0.80% | +25.43% |
| Average volume | 12.07M | 4.45M |
| Shares outstanding | 855.46M | 540.82M |
| Employees | 23,800 | 10,205 |
| Sector | Industrials | Technology |
| Industry | Diversified Commercial Services | Computer Software: Prepackaged Software |
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
- XYZ has outperformed PYPL by 19.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Block trades at a higher earnings multiple (139.7x vs 10.8x trailing P/E).
- PayPal is more profitable, keeping 15.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.4 cents for Block.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: PayPal in Industrials and Block in Technology.
About PayPal
PYPL stock →PayPal Holdings, Inc. operates a technology platform that enables digital payments for merchants and consumers worldwide.
Industrials · Diversified Commercial Services · 23,800 employees
About Block
XYZ stock →Block, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, builds ecosystems focused on commerce and financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Square and Cash App.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 10,205 employees
PYPL vs XYZ FAQ
Which is bigger, PayPal or Block?
PayPal (PYPL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $48.93B compared with $46.99B for Block (XYZ).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PYPL or XYZ?
XYZ returned +0.62% over the past 12 months, compared with -18.34% for PYPL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PYPL or XYZ?
PYPL has the lower trailing P/E at 10.8, versus 139.7 for XYZ. 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, PayPal or Block?
PayPal pays a dividend yielding 0.98%, while Block does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are PayPal and Block in the same industry?
No. PayPal is in the Industrials sector, while Block is in Technology.