WallStSmart

Shift4 Payments Inc (FOUR)vsMicrosoft Corporation (MSFT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Microsoft Corporation generates 7047% more annual revenue ($318.27B vs $4.45B). MSFT leads profitability with a 39.3% profit margin vs 2.6%. FOUR appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.30. MSFT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 72/100 (B).

FOUR

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 5.0Value: 8.0Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.84

MSFT

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.0Profit: 9.5Value: 5.7Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.51
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

FOURUndervalued (+41.6%)

Margin of Safety

+41.6%

Fair Value

$100.66

Current Price

$38.08

$62.58 discount

UndervaluedFair: $100.66Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for MSFT.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

FOUR2 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.3010/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Revenue GrowthGrowth
32.2%10/10

Revenue surging 32.2% year-over-year

MSFT6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
Market CapQuality
$3.28T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
30.2%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
39.3%10/10

Keeps 39 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
46.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 46.3%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$15.80B10/10

Generating 15.8B in free cash flow

Debt/EquityHealth
0.149/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Areas to Watch

FOUR4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
6.2%3/10

ROE of 6.2% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
2.6%3/10

2.6% margin — thin

P/E RatioValuation
47.3x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

EPS GrowthGrowth
-72.2%2/10

Earnings declined 72.2%

MSFT1 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
26.3x4/10

Moderate valuation

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : FOUR

The strongest argument for FOUR centers on PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 32.2% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.30 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : MSFT

The strongest argument for MSFT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 39.3% and operating margin at 46.3%. Revenue growth of 18.3% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : FOUR

The primary concerns for FOUR are Return on Equity, Profit Margin, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 47.3x leaves little room for execution misses. Debt-to-equity of 2.77 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : MSFT

The primary concerns for MSFT are P/E Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

FOUR profiles as a hypergrowth stock while MSFT is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

FOUR carries more volatility with a beta of 1.42 — expect wider price swings.

FOUR is growing revenue faster at 32.2% — sustainability is the question.

MSFT generates stronger free cash flow (15.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

MSFT scores higher overall (72/100 vs 62/100), backed by strong 39.3% margins and 18.3% revenue growth. FOUR offers better value entry with a 41.6% margin of safety. 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.

Shift4 Payments Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Shift4 Payments, Inc. provides integrated payment processing and technology solutions in the United States. The company is headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Microsoft Corporation

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company which produces computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. Its best known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface lineup of touchscreen personal computers. Microsoft ranked No. 21 in the 2020 Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by total revenue; it was the world's largest software maker by revenue as of 2016. It is considered one of the Big Five companies in the U.S. information technology industry, along with Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook.

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