WallStSmart

Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC)vsMastercard Inc (MA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Mastercard Inc generates 5785% more annual revenue ($32.79B vs $557.17M). MA leads profitability with a 45.7% profit margin vs 21.9%. ATLC trades at a lower P/E of 9.2x. MA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B).

ATLC

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 9.3Profit: 7.5Value: 8.3Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 1.45

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

ATLCUndervalued (+78.5%)

Margin of Safety

+78.5%

Fair Value

$257.00

Current Price

$55.97

$201.03 discount

UndervaluedFair: $257.00Overvalued
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

ATLC6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
9.2x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
50.1%10/10

Revenue surging 50.1% year-over-year

Profit MarginProfitability
21.9%9/10

Keeps 22 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
26.3%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 26.3%

EPS GrowthGrowth
22.7%8/10

Earnings expanding 22.7% YoY

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

ATLC3 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
Market CapQuality
$827.79M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.452/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
9.631/10

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 : ATLC

The strongest argument for ATLC centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Revenue Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 21.9% and operating margin at 26.3%. Revenue growth of 50.1% 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 : ATLC

The primary concerns for ATLC are Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity. Debt-to-equity of 9.63 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

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

ATLC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.94 — expect wider price swings.

ATLC is growing revenue faster at 50.1% — sustainability is the question.

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

Monitor CREDIT SERVICES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

ATLC scores higher overall (70/100 vs 70/100), backed by strong 21.9% margins and 50.1% 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.

Atlanticus Holdings Corporation

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Atlanticus Holdings Corporation provides credit and related financial products and services to clients in the United States. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

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?