T vs. MA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

T (AT&T Inc.) and MA (Mastercard Incorporated) are both stocks. T operates in Telecom Services (Communication Services), while MA operates in Credit Services (Financial Services). Over the past 10 years, T returned 2.86%/yr vs 18.40%/yr for MA. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

T vs. MA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, T achieves a -7.40% return, which is significantly higher than MA's -14.65% return. Over the past 10 years, T has underperformed MA with an annualized return of 2.86%, while MA has yielded a comparatively higher 18.40% annualized return.

T

• 1D: -1.10%
• 1M: -10.57%
• YTD: -7.40%
• 6M: -7.40%
• 1Y: -16.38%
• 3Y*: 18.39%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: 2.86%

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%

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

T vs. MA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
T AT&T Inc.	-7.40%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%
MA Mastercard Incorporated	-14.65%	9.04%	24.17%	23.40%	-2.66%	1.16%	20.19%	59.16%	25.31%	47.69%

Correlation

The correlation between T and MA is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2006	0.32

Over the past year, the correlation between T and MA has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.32, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Fundamentals

EPS T : $3.04 MA : $17.28
PE Ratio T : 7.39 MA : 28.11
PEG Ratio T : 0.31 MA : 1.64
PS Ratio T : 1.29 MA : 12.90
Total Revenue (TTM) T : $125.65B MA : $33.94B
Gross Profit (TTM) T : $105.41B MA : $26.70B
EBITDA (TTM) T : $54.70B MA : $21.23B

Return for Risk

T vs. MA — Risk / Return Rank

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

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 11
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
T Omega Ratio Rank: 13
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
T Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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

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.

T vs. MA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	T	MA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.75	-0.78	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.98	-0.97	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	0.88	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.75	-0.83	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.59	-1.68	+0.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

T vs. MA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current T Sharpe Ratio is -0.75, which is comparable to the MA Sharpe Ratio of -0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of T and MA, 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

	T	MA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.75	-0.78	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.28	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12	0.69	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.83	-0.45

Drawdowns

T vs. MA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum T drawdown since its inception was -64.15%, roughly equal to the maximum MA drawdown of -62.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for T and MA.

Drawdown Indicators

	T	MA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.15%	-62.67%	-1.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.87%	-20.91%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.87%	-20.91%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.01%	-28.25%	-3.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.35%	-41.00%	-1.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.87%	-18.55%	-3.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.72%	-9.82%	-5.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.34%	10.26%	+0.08%

Volatility

T vs. MA - Volatility Comparison

AT&T Inc. (T) has a higher volatility of 7.50% compared to Mastercard Incorporated (MA) at 6.33%. This indicates that T's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	T	MA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.50%	6.33%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.57%	17.37%	+0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.98%	22.28%	-0.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.97%	23.99%	-0.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.71%	26.93%	-3.22%

Dividends

T vs. MA - Dividend Comparison

T's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.93%, more than MA's 0.67% yield.

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%
T AT&T Inc.	4.93%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both T and MA in my portfolio?

T and MA have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, T or MA?

T has higher volatility (7.50%) compared to MA (6.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, T dropped -64.15% vs MA's -62.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

T currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.75 vs -0.78), 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.