WallStSmart

Apple Inc (AAPL)vsMastercard Inc (MA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Apple Inc generates 1228% more annual revenue ($435.62B vs $32.79B). MA leads profitability with a 45.7% profit margin vs 27.0%. MA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.60. MA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B).

AAPL

Buy

65

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 8.5Value: 8.7Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 7/9Altman Z: 2.42

MA

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.0Profit: 8.5Value: 10.0Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 4.08
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

AAPLUndervalued (+11.8%)

Margin of Safety

+11.8%

Fair Value

$285.39

Current Price

$252.62

$32.77 discount

UndervaluedFair: $285.39Overvalued
MAUndervalued (+33.1%)

Margin of Safety

+33.1%

Fair Value

$751.54

Current Price

$502.76

$248.78 discount

UndervaluedFair: $751.54Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AAPL5 strengths · Avg: 9.4/10
Market CapQuality
$3.70T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Operating MarginProfitability
35.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 35.4%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$51.55B10/10

Generating 51.6B in free cash flow

Profit MarginProfitability
27.0%9/10

Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
15.7%8/10

15.7% revenue growth

MA6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$445.26B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
45.7%10/10

Keeps 46 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
57.7%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 57.7%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.0810/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Revenue GrowthGrowth
17.6%8/10

17.6% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
24.2%8/10

Earnings expanding 24.2% YoY

Areas to Watch

AAPL4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.244/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
31.9x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Return on EquityProfitability
1.5%3/10

ROE of 1.5% — below average capital efficiency

Debt/EquityHealth
1.033/10

Elevated debt levels

MA4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.604/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
30.2x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Return on EquityProfitability
2.1%3/10

ROE of 2.1% — below average capital efficiency

Price/BookValuation
58.1x2/10

Trading at 58.1x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : AAPL

The strongest argument for AAPL centers on Market Cap, Operating Margin, Free Cash Flow. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.0% and operating margin at 35.4%. Revenue growth of 15.7% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : MA

The strongest argument for MA centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 45.7% and operating margin at 57.7%. Revenue growth of 17.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : AAPL

The primary concerns for AAPL are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Return on Equity.

Bear Case : MA

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

AAPL carries more volatility with a beta of 1.12 — expect wider price swings.

MA is growing revenue faster at 17.6% — sustainability is the question.

AAPL generates stronger free cash flow (51.6B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor CONSUMER ELECTRONICS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

MA scores higher overall (70/100 vs 65/100), backed by strong 45.7% margins and 17.6% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "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.

Apple Inc

TECHNOLOGY · CONSUMER ELECTRONICS · USA

Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company that specializes in consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Apple is the world's largest technology company by revenue (totalling $274.5 billion in 2020) and, since January 2021, the world's most valuable company. As of 2021, Apple is the world's fourth-largest PC vendor by unit sales, and fourth-largest smartphone manufacturer. It is one of the Big Five American information technology companies, along with Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.

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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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