WallStSmart

Adobe Systems Incorporated (ADBE)vsMastercard Inc (MA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Mastercard Inc generates 34% more annual revenue ($32.79B vs $24.45B). MA leads profitability with a 45.7% profit margin vs 29.5%. ADBE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.71. ADBE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

ADBE

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 10.0Value: 10.0Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.35

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

ADBEUndervalued (+43.7%)

Margin of Safety

+43.7%

Fair Value

$421.20

Current Price

$237.25

$183.95 discount

UndervaluedFair: $421.20Overvalued
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

ADBE6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Return on EquityProfitability
58.8%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 59 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
37.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 37.8%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.3510/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Market CapQuality
$98.06B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
29.5%9/10

Keeps 30 of every $100 in revenue as profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.718/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

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

ADBE1 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
Price/BookValuation
8.5x4/10

Trading at 8.5x book value

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 : ADBE

The strongest argument for ADBE centers on Return on Equity, Operating Margin, Altman Z-Score. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.5% and operating margin at 37.8%. Revenue growth of 12.0% 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 : ADBE

The primary concerns for ADBE are Price/Book.

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

ADBE profiles as a mature stock while MA is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

ADBE carries more volatility with a beta of 1.53 — expect wider price swings.

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

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

Bottom Line

ADBE scores higher overall (74/100 vs 70/100), backed by strong 29.5% margins and 12.0% revenue growth. MA offers better value entry with a 33.1% margin of safety. 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.

Adobe Systems Incorporated

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - APPLICATION · USA

Adobe Inc. is an American multinational computer software company. Incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in San Jose, California, it has historically specialized in software for the creation and publication of a wide range of content, including graphics, photography, illustration, animation, multimedia, motion pictures and print. The company has expanded into digital marketing management software. Adobe has millions of users worldwide. Flagship products include: Photoshop image editing software, Adobe Illustrator vector-based illustration software, Adobe Acrobat Reader and the Portable Document Format (PDF), plus a host of tools primarily for audio-visual content creation, editing and publishing.

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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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