WallStSmart

Mastercard Inc (MA)vsSynchrony Financial (SYF)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Mastercard Inc generates 271% more annual revenue ($36.29B vs $9.78B). MA leads profitability with a 46.7% profit margin vs 34.1%. SYF appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.93. MA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B).

MA

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B

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

SYF

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 4.0Profit: 8.0Value: 7.7Quality: 4.3
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.03

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

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

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
289.7%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 290 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

SYF6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
7.9x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Profit MarginProfitability
34.1%10/10

Keeps 34 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
49.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 49.8%

Return on EquityProfitability
20.1%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 20 in profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.938/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
1.6x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

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
85.0x2/10

Trading at 85.0x book value

Debt/EquityHealth
4.391/10

Elevated debt levels

SYF4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.033/10

Elevated debt levels

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-4.7%2/10

Revenue declined 4.7%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-6.3%2/10

Earnings declined 6.3%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.032/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

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.

Bull Case : SYF

The strongest argument for SYF centers on P/E Ratio, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.1% and operating margin at 49.8%. PEG of 0.93 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : MA

The primary concerns for MA are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. Debt-to-equity of 4.39 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : SYF

The primary concerns for SYF are Debt/Equity, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

MA profiles as a mature stock while SYF is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.

SYF carries more volatility with a beta of 1.34 — expect wider price swings.

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

MA generates stronger free cash flow (3.3B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

MA scores higher overall (70/100 vs 69/100), backed by strong 46.7% margins and 14.0% 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.

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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Synchrony Financial

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Synchrony Financial is a consumer financial services company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, United States. The company offers consumer financing products, including credit, promotional financing and loyalty programs, installment lending to industries, and FDIC-insured consumer savings products through Synchrony Bank, its wholly owned online bank subsidiary.

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