WallStSmart

Hartford Financial Services Group (HIG)vsMastercard Inc (MA)

VS
⚡

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Mastercard Inc generates 23% more annual revenue ($36.29B vs $29.59B). MA leads profitability with a 46.7% profit margin vs 15.6%. HIG appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.12. HIG earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 79/100 (B+).

HIG

Strong Buy

79

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 6.0Profit: 7.5Value: 8.3Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 1.23

MA

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 10.0Value: 4.3Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 4.10

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

HIG6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.1210/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
9.2x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Return on EquityProfitability
24.4%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 24 in profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.239/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Price/BookValuation
2.0x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
22.6%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 22.6%

MA6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$555.82B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
251.1%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 251 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
46.7%10/10

Keeps 47 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
60.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 60.5%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.1010/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

EPS GrowthGrowth
21.7%8/10

Earnings expanding 21.7% YoY

Areas to Watch

HIG2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
3.9%4/10

3.9% revenue growth

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.232/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

MA4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.674/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
33.4x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
85.4x2/10

Trading at 85.4x book value

Debt/EquityHealth
3.541/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : HIG

The strongest argument for HIG centers on PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Return on Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 15.6% and operating margin at 22.6%. PEG of 0.12 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : MA

The strongest argument for MA centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 46.7% and operating margin at 60.5%. Revenue growth of 14.0% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : HIG

The primary concerns for HIG are Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : MA

The primary concerns for MA are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. Debt-to-equity of 3.54 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

HIG profiles as a value stock while MA is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

MA carries more volatility with a beta of 0.76 — expect wider price swings.

MA is growing revenue faster at 14.0% — sustainability is the question.

MA generates stronger free cash flow (4.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

HIG scores higher overall (79/100 vs 70/100), backed by strong 15.6% 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.

Hartford Financial Services Group

FINANCIAL SERVICES · INSURANCE - DIVERSIFIED · USA

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., usually known as The Hartford, is a United States-based investment and insurance company.

Visit Website →

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.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?