WallStSmart

Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. (BFH)vsMastercard Inc (MA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Mastercard Inc generates 1160% more annual revenue ($32.79B vs $2.60B). MA leads profitability with a 45.7% profit margin vs 19.9%. BFH appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.71. BFH earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 82/100 (A-).

BFH

Exceptional Buy

82

out of 100

Grade: A-

Growth: 8.0Profit: 7.0Value: 10.0Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 0.83

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

BFHUndervalued (+85.2%)

Margin of Safety

+85.2%

Fair Value

$512.93

Current Price

$75.11

$437.82 discount

UndervaluedFair: $512.93Overvalued
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

BFH5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
6.8x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
735.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 735.0% YoY

PEG RatioValuation
0.718/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Revenue GrowthGrowth
18.5%8/10

18.5% 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

BFH2 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.293/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.832/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

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 : BFH

The strongest argument for BFH centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 19.9% and operating margin at 16.9%. Revenue growth of 18.5% 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 : BFH

The primary concerns for BFH are Debt/Equity, Altman Z-Score.

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

BFH carries more volatility with a beta of 1.20 — expect wider price swings.

BFH is growing revenue faster at 18.5% — 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

BFH scores higher overall (82/100 vs 70/100), backed by strong 19.9% margins and 18.5% revenue growth. MA offers better value entry with a 33.1% margin of safety. Both earn "Exceptional 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.

Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Bread Financial Holdings Inc. provides lending and payment technology solutions to customers and consumer-based industries in North America. The company is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

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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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