WallStSmart

HSBC Holdings PLC ADR (HSBC)vsMastercard Inc (MA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

HSBC Holdings PLC ADR generates 82% more annual revenue ($63.77B vs $35.08B). MA leads profitability with a 46.3% profit margin vs 35.0%. HSBC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.07. MA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B).

HSBC

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.0Profit: 7.5Value: 6.3Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -0.31

MA

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 10.0Value: 4.3Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 4.08

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

HSBC4 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Market CapQuality
$364.98B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
35.0%10/10

Keeps 35 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
50.7%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 50.7%

P/E RatioValuation
17.7x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

MA6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$500.29B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
231.6%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 232 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
46.3%10/10

Keeps 46 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
61.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 61.1%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.0810/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

EPS GrowthGrowth
22.1%8/10

Earnings expanding 22.1% YoY

Areas to Watch

HSBC4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
Price/BookValuation
8.1x4/10

Trading at 8.1x book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
3.3%4/10

3.3% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
2.6%4/10

2.6% earnings growth

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.312/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

MA4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.764/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
31.4x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
88.0x2/10

Trading at 88.0x book value

Debt/EquityHealth
2.821/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : HSBC

The strongest argument for HSBC centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 35.0% and operating margin at 50.7%. PEG of 1.07 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 46.3% and operating margin at 61.1%. Revenue growth of 14.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : HSBC

The primary concerns for HSBC are Price/Book, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.

Bear Case : MA

The primary concerns for MA are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. Debt-to-equity of 2.82 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

HSBC profiles as a value stock while MA is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

MA carries more volatility with a beta of 0.73 — expect wider price swings.

MA is growing revenue faster at 14.1% — sustainability is the question.

Monitor BANKS - DIVERSIFIED industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

MA scores higher overall (70/100 vs 61/100), backed by strong 46.3% margins and 14.1% revenue growth. 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.

HSBC Holdings PLC ADR

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA

HSBC Holdings plc offers banking and financial products and services globally. The company is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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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