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

Updated on August 25, 2025

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

Company Profile

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

Symbol	MA	SHEL
Company Name	Mastercard Incorporated	Shell plc
Country	United States	United Kingdom
GICS Sector	Financials	Energy
GICS Industry	Financial Services	Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels
Market Capitalization	541.47 billion USD	209.92 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	May 25, 2006	March 12, 1984
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MA and SHEL 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. SHEL: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MA	SHEL
5-Day Price Return	2.54%	1.45%
13-Week Price Return	5.17%	7.61%
26-Week Price Return	5.34%	-0.30%
52-Week Price Return	27.98%	-1.55%
Month-to-Date Return	5.74%	-1.66%
Year-to-Date Return	13.75%	7.67%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.37M	4.94M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.68M	5.97M
3-Month Volatility	21.62%	18.39%
Beta	0.99	1.19

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MA

191.02%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 40.58%
Q3: 20.06%
Median: 10.67%
Q1: 4.19%
Min: -10.31%

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.

SHEL

7.40%

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry

Max: 35.51%
Q3: 17.86%
Median: 10.69%
Q1: 5.71%
Min: -8.98%

SHEL’s Return on Equity of 7.40% is on par with the norm for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

MA vs. SHEL: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MA

44.93%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 52.86%
Q3: 25.58%
Median: 12.23%
Q1: 6.64%
Min: -9.92%

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.

SHEL

5.00%

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry

Max: 44.03%
Q3: 20.12%
Median: 8.91%
Q1: 2.62%
Min: -23.39%

SHEL’s Net Profit Margin of 5.00% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

MA vs. SHEL: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MA

55.78%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 77.28%
Q3: 37.68%
Median: 18.17%
Q1: 9.27%
Min: -8.19%

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.

SHEL

9.81%

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry

Max: 64.72%
Q3: 31.93%
Median: 19.14%
Q1: 5.67%
Min: -27.31%

SHEL’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.81% is around the midpoint for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

MA vs. SHEL: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MA	SHEL
Return on Equity (TTM)	191.02%	7.40%
Return on Assets (TTM)	27.84%	3.45%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	44.93%	5.00%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	55.78%	9.81%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	24.92%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MA

1.16

Financial Services Industry

Max: 4.58
Q3: 2.59
Median: 1.33
Q1: 0.69
Min: 0.01

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

SHEL

1.32

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry

Max: 2.76
Q3: 1.64
Median: 1.22
Q1: 0.84
Min: 0.22

SHEL’s Current Ratio of 1.32 aligns with the median group of the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

MA vs. SHEL: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MA

2.42

Financial Services Industry

Max: 4.96
Q3: 2.10
Median: 0.57
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.

SHEL

0.43

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry

Max: 2.24
Q3: 1.06
Median: 0.60
Q1: 0.24
Min: 0.00

SHEL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.43 is typical for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MA vs. SHEL: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 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.

SHEL

-16.99

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry

Max: 54.03
Q3: 23.32
Median: 7.46
Q1: 2.57
Min: -19.25

SHEL has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -16.99. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

MA vs. SHEL: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MA	SHEL
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.16	1.32
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.16	1.08
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.42	0.43
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	37.93	-16.99

Growth

Revenue Growth

MA vs. SHEL: 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. SHEL: 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

0.49%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 8.18%
Q3: 3.60%
Median: 1.56%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

MA’s Dividend Yield of 0.49% is consistent with its peers in the Financial Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SHEL

4.11%

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry

Max: 13.98%
Q3: 7.41%
Median: 4.36%
Q1: 2.84%
Min: 0.00%

SHEL’s Dividend Yield of 4.11% is consistent with its peers in the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MA vs. SHEL: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MA

19.15%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 155.56%
Q3: 63.71%
Median: 18.08%
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.

SHEL

63.10%

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry

Max: 180.73%
Q3: 92.90%
Median: 63.90%
Q1: 27.41%
Min: 0.00%

SHEL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 63.10% is within the typical range for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MA vs. SHEL: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MA	SHEL
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.49%	4.11%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	19.15%	63.10%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MA

39.22

Financial Services Industry

Max: 63.23
Q3: 32.10
Median: 14.41
Q1: 10.81
Min: 0.37

A P/E Ratio of 39.22 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.

SHEL

15.36

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry

Max: 41.71
Q3: 21.35
Median: 12.26
Q1: 7.77
Min: 0.00

SHEL’s P/E Ratio of 15.36 is within the middle range for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 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. SHEL: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MA

17.62

Financial Services Industry

Max: 11.16
Q3: 5.45
Median: 2.61
Q1: 1.25
Min: 0.04

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

SHEL

0.77

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry

Max: 5.87
Q3: 2.89
Median: 1.29
Q1: 0.54
Min: 0.00

SHEL’s P/S Ratio of 0.77 aligns with the market consensus for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

MA vs. SHEL: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MA

64.98

Financial Services Industry

Max: 7.09
Q3: 3.79
Median: 1.46
Q1: 0.83
Min: 0.04

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.

SHEL

1.28

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.12
Median: 1.34
Q1: 0.91
Min: 0.34

SHEL’s P/B Ratio of 1.28 is within the conventional range for the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 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. SHEL: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MA	SHEL
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	39.22	15.36
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	17.62	0.77
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	64.98	1.28
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	33.58	7.27