MA vs. LIN
MA (Mastercard Incorporated) and LIN (Linde plc) are both stocks. MA operates in Credit Services (Financial Services), while LIN operates in Specialty Chemicals (Basic Materials). Over the past 5 years, MA returned 6.66%/yr vs 13.98%/yr for LIN. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
MA vs. LIN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MA achieves a -13.89% return, which is significantly lower than LIN's 23.59% return.
MA
- 1D
- 0.71%
- 1M
- -0.13%
- YTD
- -13.89%
- 6M
- -14.05%
- 1Y
- -16.36%
- 3Y*
- 10.32%
- 5Y*
- 6.66%
- 10Y*
- 18.64%
LIN
- 1D
- 1.58%
- 1M
- 2.33%
- YTD
- 23.59%
- 6M
- 26.61%
- 1Y
- 12.77%
- 3Y*
- 13.38%
- 5Y*
- 13.98%
- 10Y*
- —
MA vs. LIN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MA Mastercard Incorporated | -13.89% | 9.04% | 24.17% | 23.40% | -2.66% | 1.16% | 20.19% | 59.16% | -15.16% |
LIN Linde plc | 23.59% | 3.22% | 3.18% | 27.66% | -4.39% | 33.39% | 25.88% | 39.04% | -5.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between MA and LIN is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2018 | 0.50 |
Over the past year, the correlation between MA and LIN has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.50, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
MA:
$437.55B
LIN:
$244.15B
MA:
$17.28
LIN:
$15.16
MA:
28.36
LIN:
34.54
MA:
1.65
LIN:
1.72
MA:
13.01
LIN:
7.10
MA:
65.09
LIN:
6.33
MA:
$33.94B
LIN:
$34.66B
MA:
$26.70B
LIN:
$15.94B
MA:
$21.23B
LIN:
$12.31B
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Return for Risk
MA vs. LIN — Risk / Return Rank
MA
LIN
MA vs. LIN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mastercard Incorporated (MA) and Linde plc (LIN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MA | LIN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.06 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.89 | 1.13 | -0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.79 | 0.67 | -1.45 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.59 | 1.89 | -3.48 |
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Drawdowns
MA vs. LIN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MA drawdown since its inception was -62.67%, which is greater than LIN's maximum drawdown of -32.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MA and LIN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MA | LIN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.67% | -32.59% | -30.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.91% | -19.18% | -1.73% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.91% | -19.18% | -1.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.25% | -22.82% | -5.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.00% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.82% | 0.00% | -17.82% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.82% | -5.41% | -4.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.48% | 6.79% | +3.69% |
Volatility
MA vs. LIN - Volatility Comparison
Mastercard Incorporated (MA) has a higher volatility of 6.46% compared to Linde plc (LIN) at 5.57%. This indicates that MA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LIN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MA | LIN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.46% | 5.57% | +0.89% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.51% | 13.53% | +3.98% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.34% | 17.24% | +5.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.01% | 20.79% | +3.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.92% | 24.08% | +2.84% |
Dividends
MA vs. LIN - Dividend Comparison
MA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%, less than LIN's 1.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LIN Linde plc | 1.18% | 1.41% | 1.33% | 1.24% | 1.43% | 1.22% | 1.46% | 1.64% | 0.53% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
MA Mastercard Incorporated | 0.67% | 0.53% | 0.50% | 0.53% | 0.56% | 0.49% | 0.45% | 0.44% | 0.53% | 0.58% | 0.74% | 0.66% |
Financials
MA vs. LIN - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Mastercard Incorporated and Linde plc. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
MA vs. LIN - Profitability Comparison
MA - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a gross profit of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 58.4%.
LIN - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Linde plc reported a gross profit of 4.26B and revenue of 8.78B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 48.5%.
MA - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported an operating income of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in an operating margin of 58.4%.
LIN - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Linde plc reported an operating income of 3.26B and revenue of 8.78B, resulting in an operating margin of 37.2%.
MA - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a net income of 3.88B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in a net margin of 46.2%.
LIN - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Linde plc reported a net income of 1.86B and revenue of 8.78B, resulting in a net margin of 21.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MA and LIN have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MA has higher volatility (6.46%) compared to LIN (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MA dropped -62.67% vs LIN's -32.59%.
LIN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.74 vs -0.74), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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