MA vs. PANW
MA (Mastercard Incorporated) and PANW (Palo Alto Networks, Inc.) are both stocks. MA operates in Credit Services (Financial Services), while PANW operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology). Over the past 10 years, MA returned 18.35%/yr vs 28.09%/yr for PANW. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MA vs. PANW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MA achieves a -13.70% return, which is significantly lower than PANW's 47.69% return. Over the past 10 years, MA has underperformed PANW with an annualized return of 18.35%, while PANW has yielded a comparatively higher 28.09% annualized return.
MA
- 1D
- 1.93%
- 1M
- -0.16%
- YTD
- -13.70%
- 6M
- -9.69%
- 1Y
- -15.62%
- 3Y*
- 9.57%
- 5Y*
- 6.67%
- 10Y*
- 18.35%
PANW
- 1D
- -2.58%
- 1M
- 48.11%
- YTD
- 47.69%
- 6M
- 36.82%
- 1Y
- 38.02%
- 3Y*
- 34.28%
- 5Y*
- 35.50%
- 10Y*
- 28.09%
MA vs. PANW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MA Mastercard Incorporated | -13.70% | 9.04% | 24.17% | 23.40% | -2.66% | 1.16% | 20.19% | 59.16% | 25.31% | 47.69% |
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc. | 47.69% | 1.23% | 23.41% | 111.32% | -24.81% | 56.66% | 53.68% | 22.78% | 29.95% | 15.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between MA and PANW is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2012 | 0.36 |
The correlation between MA and PANW shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (1 year) to 0.38 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MA:
$438.53B
PANW:
$202.41B
MA:
$17.28
PANW:
$1.17
MA:
28.43
PANW:
232.01
MA:
1.66
PANW:
0.02
MA:
13.04
PANW:
18.44
MA:
65.24
PANW:
7.32
MA:
$33.94B
PANW:
$10.61B
MA:
$26.70B
PANW:
$7.63B
MA:
$21.23B
PANW:
$1.33B
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Return for Risk
MA vs. PANW — Risk / Return Rank
MA
PANW
MA vs. PANW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mastercard Incorporated (MA) and Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW). 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 | PANW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.70 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.33 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.89 | 1.19 | -0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.75 | 1.06 | -1.81 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.54 | 2.41 | -3.95 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MA | PANW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.71 | 0.99 | -1.70 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 | 0.86 | -0.58 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.68 | 0.73 | -0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.83 | 0.71 | +0.12 |
Drawdowns
MA vs. PANW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MA drawdown since its inception was -62.67%, which is greater than PANW's maximum drawdown of -47.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MA and PANW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MA | PANW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.67% | -47.98% | -14.69% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.91% | -36.01% | +15.10% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.91% | -36.01% | +15.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.25% | -36.01% | +7.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.00% | -47.98% | +6.98% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.64% | -9.46% | -8.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.82% | -14.69% | +4.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.19% | 15.81% | -5.62% |
Volatility
MA vs. PANW - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Mastercard Incorporated (MA) is 6.54%, while Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) has a volatility of 17.46%. This indicates that MA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PANW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MA | PANW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.54% | 17.46% | -10.92% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.46% | 31.75% | -14.29% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.23% | 38.44% | -16.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.98% | 41.63% | -17.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.92% | 38.58% | -11.66% |
Dividends
MA vs. PANW - Dividend Comparison
MA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.66%, while PANW has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MA Mastercard Incorporated | 0.66% | 0.53% | 0.50% | 0.53% | 0.56% | 0.49% | 0.45% | 0.44% | 0.53% | 0.58% | 0.74% | 0.66% |
PANW Palo Alto Networks, 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
MA vs. PANW - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Mastercard Incorporated and Palo Alto Networks, Inc.. 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. PANW - 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%.
PANW - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Palo Alto Networks, Inc. reported a gross profit of 2.03B and revenue of 3.00B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 67.6%.
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%.
PANW - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Palo Alto Networks, Inc. reported an operating income of -186.00M and revenue of 3.00B, resulting in an operating margin of -6.2%.
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%.
PANW - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Palo Alto Networks, Inc. reported a net income of -177.00M and revenue of 3.00B, resulting in a net margin of -5.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MA and PANW have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PANW has higher volatility (17.46%) compared to MA (6.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MA dropped -62.67% vs PANW's -47.98%.
PANW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.99 vs -0.71), 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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