WallStSmart

Mastercard Inc (MA)vsSynchrony Financial (SYF)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Mastercard Inc generates 254% more annual revenue ($35.08B vs $9.91B). MA leads profitability with a 46.3% profit margin vs 35.5%. SYF appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.99. SYF earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B).

MA

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 10.0Value: 5.0Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 4.10

SYF

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 5.3Profit: 8.0Value: 7.7Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.03

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

MA6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$498.62B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
289.7%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 290 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
46.3%10/10

Keeps 46 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
61.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 61.1%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.1010/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

EPS GrowthGrowth
22.1%8/10

Earnings expanding 22.1% YoY

SYF6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
8.1x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Profit MarginProfitability
35.5%10/10

Keeps 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
50.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 50.2%

Return on EquityProfitability
20.8%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 21 in profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.998/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
1.6x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

MA3 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
P/E RatioValuation
31.3x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
88.3x2/10

Trading at 88.3x book value

Debt/EquityHealth
4.391/10

Elevated debt levels

SYF3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.6%4/10

0.6% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
3.6%4/10

3.6% earnings growth

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 46.3% and operating margin at 61.1%. Revenue growth of 14.1% 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 35.5% and operating margin at 50.2%. PEG of 0.99 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : MA

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

Bear Case : SYF

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

SYF carries more volatility with a beta of 1.31 — expect wider price swings.

MA is growing revenue faster at 14.1% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

SYF scores higher overall (75/100 vs 72/100), backed by strong 35.5% 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.

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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