V vs MA: Visa Inc. vs Mastercard Incorporated Stock Comparison [2026]

📊 Data as of June 24, 2026 · Refreshed weekly

A head-to-head, data-driven comparison of V (Visa Inc.) and MA (Mastercard Incorporated) — covering valuation, growth, dividends, risk, and which one fits your portfolio. All metrics pulled from live market data.

If you're choosing between V and MA, the answer depends on what kind of investor you are. Both are watched closely in the Financial Services sector, but they look different on almost every metric that matters: P/E, growth rate, dividend, balance-sheet quality, and volatility.

Below we break down the head-to-head numbers, name a winner on each dimension, and give a clear recommendation by investor type. Want to run this comparison live with charts and 50+ metrics? Use the free interactive V vs MA comparison tool.

Visa Inc. (V)

Financial Services · Financial - Credit Services · NYSE

Visa Inc. operates as a payments technology company worldwide. The company facilitates digital payments among consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, strategic partners, and government entities. It operates VisaNet, a transaction processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions. In addition, the company offers card products, platforms, and value-added services. It provides its services under the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink, VPAY, and PLUS brands. Visa Inc. has a strategic agreement with Ooredoo to provide an enhanced payment e…

Mastercard Incorporated (MA)

Financial Services · Financial - Credit Services · NYSE

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; …

Quick Verdict

Better for Growth

revenue 11.34% and EPS 4.93% YoY outpace the other name

Better for Value

Tie

both trade at similar earnings multiples

Better for Income

0.70% yield vs the other name's lower payout

Better for Safety

Tie

risk profiles look similar

Editor's Take

By StockSignal24 Research · Reviewed May 17, 2026

Editor's Take: These are duopoly toll roads on global payments. The choice is mostly between Visa's slight scale and Mastercard's slight growth.

Visa and Mastercard together process the vast majority of card payments globally. They're toll-road businesses — they don't lend, don't take credit risk, just collect a small percentage of every transaction. Both have ~50%+ operating margins, both grow 10-15% per year, both have buybacks consuming free cash flow.

Differences are subtle. Visa is larger (more domestic US transactions, slightly bigger debit franchise). Mastercard is more international-skewed and has historically grown slightly faster. Visa pays a slightly higher dividend yield. Mastercard tends to trade at a slightly higher P/E reflecting the faster growth.

Real risks for both: (1) BNPL providers (Klarna, Affirm) routing transactions outside the card networks; (2) regulatory caps on interchange fees in various countries; (3) eventual rise of central bank digital currencies bypassing card rails. None of these have meaningfully dented earnings yet — V and MA have grown through every fintech 'disruption' narrative since 2014. Owning both at roughly equal weight is the standard payments-exposure trade. Picking one rarely matters.

How to Read This V vs MA Comparison

Stock comparisons can be misleading if you focus on a single metric. A "cheaper" P/E doesn't automatically make a stock a better buy — slower-growing companies should trade at lower multiples. The right framework is to score each name on four independent dimensions and weight them according to your investing goal.

The Four-Dimension Framework

Growth — How fast is the business expanding? We look at year-over-year revenue and EPS growth. Faster growers earn premium multiples but carry execution risk.
Value — Are you paying a fair price? P/E, P/B, EV/EBITDA, and free cash flow yield tell you what the market is charging per dollar of business performance.
Income — Does the stock pay you to wait? Dividend yield, payout ratio, and dividend history matter for retirees, FIRE investors, and anyone funding ongoing expenses.
Safety — How much can you lose if things go wrong? Low beta, manageable debt-to-equity, and high ROE indicate a more durable business.

No single stock wins on all four. V and MA likely each lead on at least one dimension. The "right" answer is the one that matches your portfolio gap — if you already own a basket of high-growth tech, the cheaper, lower-volatility name probably adds more diversification value than another momentum bet.

Side-by-Side Metrics: V vs MA

Metric	V	MA
Price	$355.17	$579.60
Market Cap	$689.18B	—
P/E Ratio (lower is cheaper)	0.00	0.00
EPS	$0.00	$0.00
Dividend Yield	0.70%	0.00%
Beta (volatility vs market)	0.79	0.87
ROE (higher is better)	0.00%	0.00%
Debt/Equity (lower is safer)	0.00	0.00
Revenue Growth (YoY)	11.34%	0.00%
EPS Growth (YoY)	4.93%	0.00%
52-Week High	$375.51	$0.00
52-Week Low	$299.00	$0.00
Sector	Financial Services	Financial Services

Which Stock Has Better Growth?

V grew revenue 11.34% and EPS 4.93% year-over-year. MA grew revenue 0.00% and EPS 0.00%.

V wins — revenue 11.34% and EPS 4.93% YoY outpace the other name.

Which Stock Is Cheaper on Valuation?

V trades at a P/E of 0.00, while MA trades at 0.00. ROE for V is 0.00% versus 0.00% for MA.

Roughly tied — both trade at similar earnings multiples.

Which Stock Pays More Income?

V yields 0.70%; MA yields 0.00%.

V wins — 0.70% yield vs the other name's lower payout.

Which Stock Is the Safer Bet?

V has a beta of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.00. MA sits at beta 0.87 and D/E 0.00.

Roughly tied — risk profiles look similar.

Where V and MA Sit in Their 52-Week Range

Price action over the last 12 months gives important context. A stock near its 52-week high has momentum on its side but limited room before profit-taking; one near its low may be a value opportunity or a structural problem.

V currently trades at $355.17, in the upper half of its 52-week range — established uptrend with room to run if fundamentals continue (52-week range: $299.00–$375.51).

Key Risks for V and MA

Every stock has tail risks that the headline numbers don't capture. Here's what stands out from the available metrics:

V: no obvious red flags in the headline metrics, but always read the most recent 10-K and earnings call before sizing a position.
MA: no obvious red flags in the headline metrics, but always read the most recent 10-K and earnings call before sizing a position.

This is a quick heuristic risk scan, not a full risk assessment. Always read the "Risk Factors" section of each company's most recent 10-K filing before investing.

V vs MA — Best Pick by Investor Type

Long-term holder (10+ years): Lean toward either name works; durability and balance-sheet strength matter more than the next-quarter print.
Income / dividend-focused: V — higher yield, but always check payout sustainability before chasing.
Aggressive growth: V — faster top-line and EPS expansion at the cost of richer multiples.
Value-oriented: either name works — paying less per dollar of earnings, with the trade-off of slower growth.

The Bottom Line: V vs MA

On balance, V wins on 2 of 4 dimensions, making it the slightly better all-around pick for a generalist investor.

If you're the kind of investor who hates picking, the easiest answer is to own both names in equal weight inside a sector basket and rebalance once a year. That way, you capture the winner without having to predict it, and you pay the lowest possible behavioral cost (no second-guessing, no FOMO).

If you must pick one, anchor on the dimension that fixes your biggest portfolio gap — not the one with the most exciting headline. Tilting toward defensive names when you already own three growth winners adds more risk-adjusted return than another momentum bet.

Metrics Glossary — What Each Number Means

If you're new to fundamental analysis, here's a plain-English reference for every metric in the table above:

P/E Ratio (Price-to-Earnings): Share price divided by earnings per share. Tells you how many years of current earnings the stock costs. Lower = cheaper, but slow growers should have lower P/Es.
EPS (Earnings Per Share): Net income divided by shares outstanding. The per-share slice of company profits.
Market Cap: Share price × shares outstanding. The market's total valuation of the company's equity.
Dividend Yield: Annual dividend per share ÷ current price, expressed as a percent. A 3% yield means you receive $3 per year for every $100 invested at today's price.
Beta: Volatility relative to the broader market (S&P 500 = 1.0). Beta of 1.5 means the stock historically moves 1.5× the market, both up and down.
ROE (Return on Equity): Net income ÷ shareholder equity. How efficiently the company turns equity capital into profit. Above 15% is generally considered high quality.
Debt-to-Equity: Total debt ÷ shareholder equity. Lower ratios mean less leverage and lower interest-rate risk.
Revenue Growth (YoY): Percentage change in revenue versus the year-ago period. The single best top-line health check.
EPS Growth (YoY): Same comparison but for earnings per share — captures both revenue growth and operating leverage.
52-Week High / Low: The trailing 12-month price range. Useful for context on current price (e.g. a stock near its 52-week high is in an uptrend; near the low is in a downtrend or value zone).

Run a Live V vs MA Comparison

The numbers above reflect the latest available data, but markets move every minute. For a real-time, interactive head-to-head with price charts (1D to YTD), all 50+ metrics, and AI-powered insights, use our free tool — it's free, no signup required, and shareable:

Compare V vs MA live →

Frequently Asked Questions: Is V

Is V a better buy than MA in 2026?

It depends on your investment goal. For growth investors, V has the edge — V grew revenue 11.34% versus 0.00% for MA. For value investors, Both V and MA are roughly comparable on this dimension looks more attractive on earnings multiples (P/E 0.00 vs 0.00). For income, V pays a higher yield (0.70% vs 0.00%). For safety, Both V and MA are roughly comparable on this dimension has the more defensive profile (beta 0.79 vs 0.87).

What is the P/E ratio of V vs MA?

V trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 0.00, while MA trades at 0.00. A lower P/E means you pay less per dollar of current earnings — MA is the cheaper name on this metric. However, a higher P/E often reflects faster expected growth, so don't pick on P/E alone.

Does V or MA pay a higher dividend?

V currently yields 0.70% and MA yields 0.00%. V pays the higher current yield. Always verify payout ratio and dividend history before treating yield as guaranteed income — a high yield can also be a warning sign of a falling share price.

Which stock is more volatile, V or MA?

V has a beta of 0.79 and MA has a beta of 0.87. A beta above 1.0 means the stock historically moves more than the broader market; below 1.0 means it moves less. MA has been the more volatile name based on historical price action.

What is the market cap of V vs MA?

V has a market capitalization of $689.18B and MA is at —. Market cap is share price multiplied by shares outstanding and reflects the total equity value the market assigns to the company.

Should I buy V or MA for long-term investing?

For a long-term holder (10+ years), the safer-quality name usually wins because compounding requires durability. Both V and MA are roughly comparable on this dimension screens better on safety metrics here: lower beta, more conservative debt levels, and stronger return on equity. That said, V is growing faster, so a long-term investor may want both — or split allocation 60/40 toward the safer name.

Which has higher growth, V or MA?

V is the faster grower right now. V grew revenue 11.34% year-over-year and EPS 4.93%; MA grew revenue 0.00% and EPS 0.00%. MA's slower growth often comes with a lower valuation — it's the classic growth-vs-value trade-off.

Is V overvalued compared to MA?

V trades at a higher P/E than MA, which can mean the market is pricing in faster expected growth. Whether that premium is justified depends on whether V can actually deliver the implied earnings expansion. Cross-check P/E with PEG ratio (P/E ÷ growth rate) — a PEG under 1.5 is generally considered reasonable, over 2.0 starts to look stretched.

What sector are V and MA in?

V (Visa Inc.) operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically the Financial - Credit Services industry. MA (Mastercard Incorporated) is in the Financial Services sector, specifically the Financial - Credit Services industry. Because both are in the same sector, this is a true head-to-head comparison.

How do I decide between V and MA?

Start with your goal. (1) If you need income, weight the higher-yield name. (2) If you want growth, weight the faster top-line and EPS grower. (3) If you want capital preservation, weight the lower-beta, lower-debt, higher-ROE name. (4) If you're unsure, the most common professional approach is to own both in a sector basket so you don't have to predict the winner — and rebalance annually.

Disclaimer: This comparison is generated from live market data for informational purposes only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or a substitute for the analysis of a licensed financial advisor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always read the most recent 10-K and consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions. StockSignal24 is not responsible for losses incurred from trading decisions made based on this content.