MA vs. MSTR

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

MA (Mastercard Incorporated) and MSTR (Strategy Inc) are both stocks. MA operates in Credit Services (Financial Services), while MSTR operates in Software - Application (Technology). Over the past 10 years, MA returned 18.40%/yr vs 21.08%/yr for MSTR. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MA vs. MSTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Mastercard Incorporated (MA) and Strategy Inc (MSTR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MA achieves a -14.65% return, which is significantly higher than MSTR's -16.29% return. Over the past 10 years, MA has underperformed MSTR with an annualized return of 18.40%, while MSTR has yielded a comparatively higher 21.08% annualized return.

MA

• 1D: -1.10%
• 1M: -1.98%
• YTD: -14.65%
• 6M: -9.84%
• 1Y: -17.21%
• 3Y*: 10.21%
• 5Y*: 6.59%
• 10Y*: 18.40%

MSTR

• 1D: 5.61%
• 1M: -32.19%
• YTD: -16.29%
• 6M: -30.75%
• 1Y: -66.03%
• 3Y*: 65.16%
• 5Y*: 19.92%
• 10Y*: 21.08%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MA vs. MSTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MA Mastercard Incorporated	-14.65%	9.04%	24.17%	23.40%	-2.66%	1.16%	20.19%	59.16%	25.31%	47.69%
MSTR Strategy Inc	-16.29%	-47.53%	358.54%	346.15%	-74.00%	40.13%	172.42%	11.65%	-2.70%	-33.49%

Correlation

The correlation between MA and MSTR is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2006	0.33

Over the past year, the correlation between MA and MSTR has dropped to 0.03 - well below their long-term average of 0.33, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Fundamentals

Market Cap MA : $433.70B MSTR : $42.47B
EPS MA : $17.28 MSTR : -$40.19
PS Ratio MA : 12.90 MSTR : 79.74
PB Ratio MA : 64.52 MSTR : 1.16
Total Revenue (TTM) MA : $33.94B MSTR : $490.47M
Gross Profit (TTM) MA : $26.70B MSTR : $334.08M
EBITDA (TTM) MA : $21.23B MSTR : $466.93M

Return for Risk

MA vs. MSTR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MA

MA Risk / Return Rank: 9
MA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
MA Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
MA Omega Ratio Rank: 13
MA Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
MA Martin Ratio Rank: 3

MSTR

MSTR Risk / Return Rank: 8
MSTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
MSTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
MSTR Omega Ratio Rank: 7
MSTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
MSTR Martin Ratio Rank: 13

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MA vs. MSTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mastercard Incorporated (MA) and Strategy Inc (MSTR). 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.

	MA	MSTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.78	-0.94	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.97	-1.66	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.88	0.82	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.83	-0.86	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.68	-1.27	-0.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MA vs. MSTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MA Sharpe Ratio is -0.78, which is comparable to the MSTR Sharpe Ratio of -0.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MA and MSTR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MA	MSTR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.78	-0.94	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.22	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.29	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.12	+0.71

Drawdowns

MA vs. MSTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MA drawdown since its inception was -62.67%, smaller than the maximum MSTR drawdown of -99.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MA and MSTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	MA	MSTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.67%	-99.86%	+37.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.91%	-76.53%	+55.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.91%	-77.42%	+56.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.25%	-84.11%	+55.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.00%	-89.27%	+48.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.55%	-73.15%	+54.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.82%	-86.47%	+76.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.26%	52.19%	-41.93%

Volatility

MA vs. MSTR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Mastercard Incorporated (MA) is 6.33%, while Strategy Inc (MSTR) has a volatility of 21.43%. This indicates that MA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MA	MSTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.33%	21.43%	-15.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.37%	56.80%	-39.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.28%	70.82%	-48.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.99%	90.87%	-66.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.93%	73.77%	-46.84%

Dividends

MA vs. MSTR - Dividend Comparison

MA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%, while MSTR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
MSTR Strategy Inc	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MA and MSTR in my portfolio?

MA and MSTR have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MA or MSTR?

MSTR has higher volatility (21.43%) compared to MA (6.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MA dropped -62.67% vs MSTR's -99.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.78 vs -0.94), 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.