Capital One Financial Corporation (COF)vsMastercard Inc (MA)
COF
Capital One Financial Corporation
$179.67
-0.26%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $114.07B
MA
Mastercard Inc
$488.47
+0.55%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $453.80B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Mastercard Inc generates 0% more annual revenue ($32.79B vs $32.78B). MA leads profitability with a 45.7% profit margin vs 7.5%. COF appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.19. COF earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B+).
COF
Strong Buy75
out of 100
Grade: B+
MA
Strong Buy70
out of 100
Grade: B
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-50.8%
Fair Value
$142.20
Current Price
$179.67
$37.47 premium
Margin of Safety
+34.7%
Fair Value
$752.45
Current Price
$488.47
$263.98 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Growing faster than its price suggests
Reasonable price relative to book value
Revenue surging 51.6% year-over-year
Large-cap with strong market position
Strong operational efficiency at 22.9%
Earnings expanding 22.2% YoY
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Every $100 of equity generates 210 in profit
Keeps 46 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 57.7%
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
17.6% revenue growth
Areas to Watch
ROE of 2.4% — below average capital efficiency
7.5% margin — thin
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Trading at 56.5x book value
Elevated debt levels
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : COF
The strongest argument for COF centers on PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 51.6% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.19 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : MA
The strongest argument for MA centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit 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 : COF
The primary concerns for COF are Return on Equity, Profit Margin, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 54.6x leaves little room for execution misses.
Bear Case : MA
The primary concerns for MA are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. Debt-to-equity of 2.45 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COF profiles as a hypergrowth stock while MA is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
COF carries more volatility with a beta of 1.14 — expect wider price swings.
COF is growing revenue faster at 51.6% — sustainability is the question.
COF generates stronger free cash flow (6.7B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
COF scores higher overall (75/100 vs 70/100) and 51.6% revenue growth. MA offers better value entry with a 34.7% 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.
Capital One Financial Corporation
FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA
Capital One Financial Corporation is an American bank holding company specializing in credit cards, auto loans, banking, and savings accounts, headquartered in McLean, Virginia with operations primarily in the United States.
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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