WallStSmart

Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. (BFH)vsMastercard Inc (MA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Mastercard Inc generates 1184% more annual revenue ($33.94B vs $2.64B). MA leads profitability with a 45.9% profit margin vs 21.2%. MA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.58. BFH earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 78/100 (B+).

BFH

Strong Buy

78

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 4.3
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: -0.08

MA

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.0Profit: 10.0Value: 5.0Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 4.08

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BFH5 strengths · Avg: 9.4/10
P/E RatioValuation
8.3x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.1x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
34.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 34.0%

Profit MarginProfitability
21.2%9/10

Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
49.3%8/10

Earnings expanding 49.3% YoY

MA6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$422.07B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
231.6%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 232 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
45.9%10/10

Keeps 46 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
60.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 60.8%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.0810/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Revenue GrowthGrowth
15.8%8/10

15.8% revenue growth

Areas to Watch

BFH3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.404/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Debt/EquityHealth
1.173/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.082/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

MA4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.584/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
27.6x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
64.8x2/10

Trading at 64.8x book value

Debt/EquityHealth
2.821/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BFH

The strongest argument for BFH centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 21.2% and operating margin at 34.0%.

Bull Case : MA

The strongest argument for MA centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 45.9% and operating margin at 60.8%. Revenue growth of 15.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : BFH

The primary concerns for BFH are PEG Ratio, Debt/Equity, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : MA

The primary concerns for MA are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. Debt-to-equity of 2.82 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

BFH profiles as a mature stock while MA is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

BFH carries more volatility with a beta of 1.17 — expect wider price swings.

MA is growing revenue faster at 15.8% — sustainability is the question.

MA generates stronger free cash flow (2.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

BFH scores higher overall (78/100 vs 70/100), backed by strong 21.2% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Bread Financial Holdings Inc. provides lending and payment technology solutions to customers and consumer-based industries in North America. The company is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

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Mastercard Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Mastercard Incorporated is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in the Mastercard International Global Headquarters in Purchase, New York. The Global Operations Headquarters is located in O'Fallon, Missouri, a municipality of St. Charles County, Missouri. Throughout the world, its principal business is to process payments between the banks of merchants and the card-issuing banks or credit unions of the purchasers who use the Mastercard brand debit, credit and prepaid cards to make purchases. Mastercard Worldwide has been a publicly traded company since 2006.

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