Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI) vs Mastercard Incorporated (MA) vs American Express Company (AXP) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SOFI | 27.8% revenue growth vs AXP's 10.1% |
| Value | AXP | Lower P/E (17.6x vs 29.7x) |
| Quality / Margins | MA | 45.6% net margin vs SOFI's 13.5% |
| Stability / Safety | MA | Beta 0.78 vs SOFI's 2.35 |
| Dividends | AXP | 0.9% yield, 14-year raise streak, vs MA's 0.6% |
| Momentum (1Y) | SOFI | +22.7% vs MA's -9.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MA | 27.6% ROA vs SOFI's 1.4%, ROIC 56.5% vs 1.7% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Valuation efficiency (growth/$)
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
SoFi is a digital financial services platform that offers lending, banking, and investment products to consumers. It generates revenue primarily from lending (student, personal, and home loans) and its technology platforms — Galileo and Apex — which provide banking infrastructure to other financial institutions. The company's competitive advantage lies in its integrated all-in-one financial app and its Galileo technology platform that serves as a critical backend for many fintech companies.
Mastercard is a global payment technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and governments. It generates revenue primarily from transaction processing fees—charging a small percentage of each payment volume—and from service fees for its data analytics, consulting, and security solutions. The company's moat lies in its massive two-sided network effect—the more merchants accept Mastercard, the more valuable it becomes to cardholders, and vice versa—creating a powerful ecosystem that's difficult to replicate.
American Express is a global payments and financial services company that issues charge and credit cards to consumers and businesses. It generates revenue primarily from discount fees charged to merchants — typically 2-3% of transaction value — and cardmember fees, with additional income from interest on revolving balances and travel services. Its key competitive advantage is its premium brand positioning and closed-loop network — which allows it to control both card issuance and merchant acceptance while collecting rich transaction data.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 3 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
MA leads in 3 of 6 categories (Financial Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). AXP leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook).
Financial Metrics (TTM)
AXP is the larger business by revenue, generating $74.2B annually — 20.0x SOFI's $3.7B. MA is the more profitable business, keeping 45.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SOFI's 13.5%.
| Metric | SOFISoFi Technologies… | MAMastercard Incorp… | AXPAmerican Express … |
|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.7B | $32.8B | $74.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $625M | $20.5B | $15.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $640M | $15.0B | $10.5B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$1.8B | $17.1B | $18.9B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +69.7% | +83.4% | +81.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +6.3% | +59.2% | +17.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +13.5% | +45.6% | +13.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -34.7% | +52.3% | +16.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +109.1% | +24.2% | +18.6% |
Valuation Metrics
At 22.0x trailing earnings, AXP trades at a 52% valuation discount to SOFI's 45.5x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), MA offers better value at 1.49x vs AXP's 1.85x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | SOFISoFi Technologies… | MAMastercard Incorp… | AXPAmerican Express … |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $21.4B | $457.8B | $212.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $22.1B | $465.7B | $223.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 45.54x | 31.31x | 22.03x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 29.73x | 26.43x | 17.58x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.49x | 1.85x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 50.50x | 22.67x | 15.33x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 5.78x | 13.96x | 2.87x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.00x | 59.96x | 7.28x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 26.68x | 17.53x |
Profitability & Efficiency
MA delivers a 193.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $193 in annual profit, vs $7 for SOFI. SOFI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.49x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MA's 2.45x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MA scores 9/9 vs SOFI's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | SOFISoFi Technologies… | MAMastercard Incorp… | AXPAmerican Express … |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +7.3% | +193.0% | +32.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.4% | +27.6% | +3.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.7% | +56.5% | +12.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.3% | +64.4% | +11.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 9 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.49x | 2.45x | 1.69x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $666M | $7.9B | $10.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.5B | $11.1B | $40.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.2B | $19.0B | $51.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.63x | 26.39x | 1.64x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in AXP five years ago would be worth $23,155 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,183 for SOFI. Over the past 12 months, SOFI leads with a +22.7% total return vs MA's -9.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SOFI at 39.1% vs MA's 13.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SOFISoFi Technologies… | MAMastercard Incorp… | AXPAmerican Express … |
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -35.3% | -8.0% | -16.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +22.7% | -9.7% | +3.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +169.1% | +47.9% | +82.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -8.2% | +45.9% | +131.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +69.5% | +515.7% | +491.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +39.1% | +13.9% | +22.2% |
Risk & Volatility
MA is the less volatile stock with a 0.78 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SOFI's 2.35 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MA currently trades 85.9% from its 52-week high vs SOFI's 54.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | SOFISoFi Technologies… | MAMastercard Incorp… | AXPAmerican Express … |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.35x | 0.78x | 1.35x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $32.73 | $601.77 | $387.49 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $8.60 | $465.59 | $220.43 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +54.3% | +85.9% | +79.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 34.7 | 42.8 | 42.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 44.7M | 3.2M | 2.4M |
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: SOFI as "Hold", MA as "Buy", AXP as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 60.8% upside for SOFI (target: $29) vs 21.3% for AXP (target: $375). For income investors, AXP offers the higher dividend yield at 0.91% vs MA's 0.59%.
| Metric | SOFISoFi Technologies… | MAMastercard Incorp… | AXPAmerican Express … |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $28.56 | $667.00 | $374.58 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 24 | 63 | 56 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.1% | +0.6% | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.01 | $3.07 | $2.80 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.6% | +2.8% |
Historical Charts
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Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Nov 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoFi Technologies, … (SOFI) | 100 | 210.69 | +110.7% |
| Mastercard Incorpor… (MA) | 100 | 163.88 | +63.9% |
| American Express Co… (AXP) | 100 | 294.2 | +194.2% |
American Express Co… (AXP) returned +132% over 5 years vs SoFi Technologies, … (SOFI)'s -8%. A $10,000 investment in AXP 5 years ago would be worth $23,155 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoFi Technologies, … (SOFI) | $600M | $3.7B | +517.3% |
| Mastercard Incorpor… (MA) | $10.8B | $32.8B | +204.3% |
| American Express Co… (AXP) | $38.4B | $74.2B | +93.4% |
Mastercard Incorporated's revenue grew from $10.8B (2016) to $32.8B (2025) — a 13.2% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoFi Technologies, … (SOFI) | -42.1% | 13.5% | +132.0% |
| Mastercard Incorpor… (MA) | 37.7% | 45.6% | +21.2% |
| American Express Co… (AXP) | 14.0% | 13.7% | -2.6% |
Mastercard Incorporated's net margin went from 38% (2016) to 46% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mastercard Incorpor… (MA) | 41.5 | 34.6 | -16.6% |
| American Express Co… (AXP) | 33.4 | 21.2 | -36.5% |
Mastercard Incorporated has traded in a 34x–56x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~31x. American Express Company has traded in a 12x–33x P/E range over 8 years; current trailing P/E is ~22x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoFi Technologies, … (SOFI) | -2.17 | 0.39 | +117.9% |
| Mastercard Incorpor… (MA) | 3.69 | 16.52 | +347.7% |
| American Express Co… (AXP) | 5.65 | 14.02 | +148.1% |
Mastercard Incorporated's EPS grew from $3.69 (2016) to $16.52 (2025) — a 18% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
SoFi Technologies, Inc. generated $-1B FCF in 2024 (+8% vs 2021). Mastercard Incorporated generated $17B FCF in 2025 (+98% vs 2021).
SOFI vs MA vs AXP: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SOFI or MA or AXP a better buy right now?
American Express Company (AXP) offers the better valuation at 22.0x trailing P/E (17.6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Mastercard Incorporated (MA) a "Buy" — based on 63 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — SOFI or MA or AXP?
On trailing P/E, American Express Company (AXP) is the cheapest at 22.0x versus SoFi Technologies, Inc. at 45.5x. On forward P/E, American Express Company is actually cheaper at 17.6x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Mastercard Incorporated wins at 1.26x versus American Express Company's 1.48x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SOFI or MA or AXP?
Over the past 5 years, American Express Company (AXP) delivered a total return of +131.5%, compared to -8.2% for SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI). A $10,000 investment in AXP five years ago would be worth approximately $23K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MA returned +515.7% versus SOFI's +69.5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — SOFI or MA or AXP?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Mastercard Incorporated (MA) is the lower-risk stock at 0.78β versus SoFi Technologies, Inc.'s 2.35β — meaning SOFI is approximately 203% more volatile than MA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 49% versus 2% for Mastercard Incorporated — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — SOFI or MA or AXP?
Mastercard Incorporated (MA) is the more profitable company, earning 45.6% net margin versus 13.5% for SoFi Technologies, Inc. — meaning it keeps 45.6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MA leads at 59.2% versus 6.3% for SOFI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MA leads at 83.4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is SOFI or MA or AXP more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential. By this metric, Mastercard Incorporated (MA) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1.26x versus American Express Company's 1.48x. A PEG below 1.5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, American Express Company (AXP) trades at 17.6x forward P/E versus 29.7x for SoFi Technologies, Inc. — 12.2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SOFI: 60.8% to $28.56.
07Which pays a better dividend — SOFI or MA or AXP?
In this comparison, AXP (0.9% yield), MA (0.6% yield) pay a dividend. SOFI does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is SOFI or MA or AXP better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Mastercard Incorporated (MA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.78), 0.6% yield, +515.7% 10Y return). SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI) carries a higher beta of 2.35 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MA: +515.7%, SOFI: +69.5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between SOFI and MA and AXP?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. MA, AXP pay a dividend while SOFI does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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