FDS vs. MA: FactSet Research Systems vs. Mastercard Stock Comparison
How do FactSet Research Systems (FDS) and Mastercard (MA) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
FactSet Research Systems (FDS) and Mastercard (MA) both fall under the Financial Services industry group, but FDS is classified in Capital Markets while MA is classified in Financial Services.
| Profile Item | FDS | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Name | FactSet Research Systems Inc. | Mastercard Inc. Class A Common Stock |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| GICS Industry | Capital Markets | Financial Services |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Financial Exchanges & Data | Transaction & Payment Processing Services |
| Market Capitalization | 11.56 billion USD | 568.62 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 28, 1996 | May 25, 2006 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 27.49% | 20.00% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | -8.71% | 19.98% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -4.88% | 14.49% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 48.03% | 23.57% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.69 | 0.76 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -61.13% | -28.25% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 803.71K | 2.98M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.48 | 0.67 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.71 | 1.00 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both companies show strong equity returns, but Mastercard (MA) at 231.37% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 25.48% also sits in the top quartile.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
25.48%
- Max
- 44.78%
- FDS
- 25.48%
- Q3
- 21.85%
- Median
- 12.91%
- Q1
- 4.48%
- Min
- -18.71%
MA
Financial Services industry group
231.37%
- MA
- 231.37%
- Max
- 44.78%
- Q3
- 21.85%
- Median
- 12.91%
- Q1
- 4.48%
- Min
- -18.71%
Net Margin (TTM)
Mastercard (MA) at 46.73% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 21.54%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
21.54%
- Max
- 62.84%
- Q3
- 28.05%
- FDS
- 21.54%
- Median
- 15.36%
- Q1
- 4.82%
- Min
- -28.52%
MA
Financial Services industry group
46.73%
- Max
- 62.84%
- MA
- 46.73%
- Q3
- 28.05%
- Median
- 15.36%
- Q1
- 4.82%
- Min
- -28.52%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Mastercard (MA) at 60.53% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 22.22%, which runs around its industry’s norm.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
22.22%
- Max
- 107.33%
- Q3
- 55.90%
- Median
- 30.09%
- FDS
- 22.22%
- Q1
- 14.60%
- Min
- -44.34%
MA
Financial Services industry group
60.53%
- Max
- 107.33%
- MA
- 60.53%
- Q3
- 55.90%
- Median
- 30.09%
- Q1
- 14.60%
- Min
- -44.34%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MA |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 25.48% | 231.37% |
| ROA (TTM) | 10.65% | 24.45% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 21.54% | 46.73% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 22.22% | 60.53% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 6.65% and Mastercard (MA) at 16.42% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at -6.30% and Mastercard (MA) at 18.93% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 6.65% | 16.42% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 5.89% | 13.82% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -6.30% | 18.93% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 6.59% | 17.36% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: FactSet Research Systems (FDS) in Financial Services and Mastercard (MA) in Financial Services both report balance sheets without a current/non-current split, so their short-term liquidity is better judged through regulatory and funding measures.
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
debt-to-equity ratio is set aside for both: FactSet Research Systems (FDS) in Financial Services and Mastercard (MA) in Financial Services run businesses where balance-sheet leverage is part of the model, so capital-adequacy and funding measures are the better gauges of balance-sheet risk.
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 1.33% and Mastercard (MA) at 0.53% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
1.33%
- Max
- 9.77%
- Q3
- 3.92%
- FDS
- 1.33%
- Median
- 1.09%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MA
Financial Services industry group
0.53%
- Max
- 9.77%
- Q3
- 3.92%
- Median
- 1.09%
- MA
- 0.53%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 31.02% and Mastercard (MA) at 17.63% keep payout ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges — dividend policies that share earnings without consuming too much of them.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
31.02%
- Max
- 241.07%
- Q3
- 97.36%
- FDS
- 31.02%
- Median
- 25.77%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MA
Financial Services industry group
17.63%
- Max
- 241.07%
- Q3
- 97.36%
- Median
- 25.77%
- MA
- 17.63%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.33% | 0.53% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 31.02% | 17.63% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 22.50 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Mastercard (MA) at 34.15 sits in the richer quartile — MA needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
22.50
- Max
- 45.85
- Q3
- 24.64
- FDS
- 22.50
- Median
- 15.37
- Q1
- 9.68
- Min
- 0.16
MA
Financial Services industry group
34.15
- Max
- 45.85
- MA
- 34.15
- Q3
- 24.64
- Median
- 15.37
- Q1
- 9.68
- Min
- 0.16
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Both look expensive on sales: FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 4.67 sits in the upper P/S ratio quartile, and Mastercard (MA) at 15.67 prices even higher, above its industry range.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
4.67
- Max
- 9.23
- FDS
- 4.67
- Q3
- 4.57
- Median
- 2.72
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- -0.55
MA
Financial Services industry group
15.67
- MA
- 15.67
- Max
- 9.23
- Q3
- 4.57
- Median
- 2.72
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- -0.55
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Both look rich against book: FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 5.77 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Mastercard (MA) at 84.30 prices even higher, above its industry range.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
5.77
- Max
- 7.79
- FDS
- 5.77
- Q3
- 3.63
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- -0.39
MA
Financial Services industry group
84.30
- MA
- 84.30
- Max
- 7.79
- Q3
- 3.63
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- -0.39
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 22.50 | 34.15 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 4.67 | 15.67 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 5.77 | 84.30 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -- | -- |