WallStSmart

Booking Holdings Inc (BKNG)vsMastercard Inc (MA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Mastercard Inc generates 23% more annual revenue ($33.94B vs $27.69B). MA leads profitability with a 45.9% profit margin vs 22.2%. BKNG appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.73. BKNG earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 76/100 (B+).

BKNG

Strong Buy

76

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 8.7Profit: 9.5Value: 6.7Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.05

MA

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.0Profit: 10.0Value: 5.0Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 4.08
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

BKNGUndervalued (+8.9%)

Margin of Safety

+8.9%

Fair Value

$188.04

Current Price

$165.93

$22.11 discount

UndervaluedFair: $188.04Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for MA.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BKNG6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Return on EquityProfitability
225.7%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 226 in profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
240.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 240.0% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
-3.4610/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.0510/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Market CapQuality
$132.72B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
22.2%9/10

Keeps 22 of every $100 in revenue as profit

MA6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$442.62B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
232.1%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

BKNG0 concerns · Avg: 0/10

No major concerns identified

MA4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.574/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
29.0x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
57.3x2/10

Trading at 57.3x book value

Debt/EquityHealth
2.451/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BKNG

The strongest argument for BKNG centers on Return on Equity, EPS Growth, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 22.2% and operating margin at 25.0%. Revenue growth of 16.2% demonstrates continued momentum.

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 : BKNG

No major red flags identified for BKNG, but monitor valuation.

Bear Case : MA

The primary concerns for MA are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. Debt-to-equity of 2.45 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

BKNG carries more volatility with a beta of 1.10 — expect wider price swings.

BKNG is growing revenue faster at 16.2% — sustainability is the question.

BKNG generates stronger free cash flow (3.1B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor TRAVEL SERVICES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

BKNG scores higher overall (76/100 vs 70/100), backed by strong 22.2% margins and 16.2% revenue growth. 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.

Booking Holdings Inc

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · TRAVEL SERVICES · USA

Booking Holdings Inc. is an American travel technology company organized in Delaware and based in Norwalk, Connecticut, that owns and operates several travel fare aggregators and travel fare metasearch engines including namesake and flagship Booking.com, Priceline.com, Agoda.com, Kayak.com, Cheapflights, Rentalcars.com, Momondo, and OpenTable.

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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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