MA vs. SAN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 4, 2025

Here’s a clear look at MA and SAN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

MA is a standard domestic listing, while SAN trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	MA	SAN
Company Name	Mastercard Incorporated	Banco Santander, S.A.
Country	United States	Spain
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Financial Services	Banks
Market Capitalization	514.83 billion USD	154.46 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	May 25, 2006	July 30, 1987
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MA and SAN by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

MA vs. SAN: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MA	SAN
5-Day Price Return	0.00%	1.56%
13-Week Price Return	1.22%	24.63%
26-Week Price Return	3.60%	37.54%
52-Week Price Return	15.23%	100.45%
Month-to-Date Return	-4.45%	8.75%
Year-to-Date Return	8.02%	98.77%
10-Day Avg. Volume	3.21M	26.21M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.75M	22.38M
3-Month Volatility	15.98%	24.75%
Beta	0.94	1.59

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MA

191.02%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 39.28%
Q3: 18.88%
Median: 9.97%
Q1: 4.03%
Min: -10.25%

MA’s Return on Equity of 191.02% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Financial Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

SAN

12.99%

Banks Industry

Max: 25.40%
Q3: 15.55%
Median: 12.00%
Q1: 8.98%
Min: -0.10%

SAN’s Return on Equity of 12.99% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

MA vs. SAN: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Banks industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MA

44.93%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 52.16%
Q3: 25.35%
Median: 12.68%
Q1: 6.11%
Min: -11.69%

A Net Profit Margin of 44.93% places MA in the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

SAN

17.09%

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.73%
Median: 28.97%
Q1: 22.56%
Min: 6.98%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Banks industry, SAN’s Net Profit Margin of 17.09% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

MA vs. SAN: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Banks industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MA

55.78%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 75.57%
Q3: 37.78%
Median: 19.09%
Q1: 10.04%
Min: -19.42%

An Operating Profit Margin of 55.78% places MA in the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

SAN

23.76%

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.73%
Median: 37.24%
Q1: 28.25%
Min: 12.28%

SAN’s Operating Profit Margin of 23.76% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

MA vs. SAN: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Banks industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MA	SAN
Return on Equity (TTM)	191.02%	12.99%
Return on Assets (TTM)	27.84%	0.70%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	44.93%	17.09%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	55.78%	23.76%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MA

1.16

Financial Services Industry

Max: 4.83
Q3: 2.70
Median: 1.44
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.01

For the Financial Services industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

SAN

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

MA vs. SAN: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Banks industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MA

2.42

Financial Services Industry

Max: 5.07
Q3: 2.14
Median: 0.66
Q1: 0.12
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Financial Services industry.

SAN

3.14

Banks Industry

Max: 5.78
Q3: 2.66
Median: 1.05
Q1: 0.40
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.

MA vs. SAN: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Banks industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

MA

37.93

Financial Services Industry

Max: 136.23
Q3: 56.08
Median: 6.55
Q1: 2.01
Min: -33.27

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Financial Services industry.

SAN

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.

MA vs. SAN: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Banks industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MA	SAN
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.16	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.16	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.42	3.14
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	37.93	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

MA vs. SAN: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

MA vs. SAN: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

MA

0.50%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 8.12%
Q3: 3.37%
Median: 1.70%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

MA’s Dividend Yield of 0.50% is consistent with its peers in the Financial Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SAN

0.00%

Banks Industry

Max: 11.03%
Q3: 6.00%
Median: 3.87%
Q1: 2.41%
Min: 0.00%

SAN currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

MA vs. SAN: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MA

19.15%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 132.10%
Q3: 64.32%
Median: 18.23%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

MA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 19.15% is within the typical range for the Financial Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

SAN

22.00%

Banks Industry

Max: 134.24%
Q3: 79.39%
Median: 55.09%
Q1: 36.09%
Min: 0.00%

SAN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.00% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

MA vs. SAN: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MA	SAN
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.50%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	19.15%	22.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MA

37.94

Financial Services Industry

Max: 45.81
Q3: 30.21
Median: 16.29
Q1: 10.14
Min: 0.70

A P/E Ratio of 37.94 places MA in the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

SAN

10.49

Banks Industry

Max: 22.69
Q3: 13.75
Median: 10.32
Q1: 7.73
Min: 2.59

SAN’s P/E Ratio of 10.49 is within the middle range for the Banks industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

MA vs. SAN: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MA

17.05

Financial Services Industry

Max: 10.88
Q3: 5.34
Median: 2.64
Q1: 1.24
Min: 0.06

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Financial Services industry.

SAN

0.89

Banks Industry

Max: 4.90
Q3: 2.98
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.59
Min: 0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

MA vs. SAN: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MA

64.98

Financial Services Industry

Max: 7.93
Q3: 3.78
Median: 1.49
Q1: 0.88
Min: 0.08

At 64.98, MA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Financial Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

SAN

0.93

Banks Industry

Max: 2.09
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.11
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.29

SAN’s P/B Ratio of 0.93 is within the conventional range for the Banks industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

MA vs. SAN: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Banks industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MA	SAN
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	37.94	10.49
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	17.05	0.89
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	64.98	0.93
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	32.49	7.82