VZ vs. MA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VZ (Verizon Communications Inc.) and MA (Mastercard Incorporated) are both stocks. VZ operates in Telecom Services (Communication Services), while MA operates in Credit Services (Financial Services). Over the past 10 years, VZ returned 3.91%/yr vs 18.40%/yr for MA. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VZ vs. MA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VZ achieves a 15.21% return, which is significantly higher than MA's -14.65% return. Over the past 10 years, VZ has underperformed MA with an annualized return of 3.91%, while MA has yielded a comparatively higher 18.40% annualized return.

VZ

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: -3.77%
• YTD: 15.21%
• 6M: 13.62%
• 1Y: 10.73%
• 3Y*: 16.17%
• 5Y*: 1.67%
• 10Y*: 3.91%

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)

VZ vs. MA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VZ Verizon Communications Inc.	15.21%	8.86%	13.14%	2.71%	-20.02%	-7.55%	-0.13%	13.83%	11.26%	3.97%
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 VZ and MA is 0.09, 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	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2006	0.28

The correlation between VZ and MA shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (1 year) to 0.28 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap VZ : $191.30B MA : $433.70B
EPS VZ : $4.10 MA : $17.28
PE Ratio VZ : 11.07 MA : 28.11
PS Ratio VZ : 1.38 MA : 12.90
PB Ratio VZ : 1.85 MA : 64.52
Total Revenue (TTM) VZ : $139.15B MA : $33.94B
Gross Profit (TTM) VZ : $81.89B MA : $26.70B
EBITDA (TTM) VZ : $48.65B MA : $21.23B

Return for Risk

VZ vs. MA — Risk / Return Rank

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

VZ

VZ Risk / Return Rank: 57
VZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VZ Omega Ratio Rank: 52
VZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VZ Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

VZ vs. MA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) 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.

	VZ	MA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.48	-0.78	+1.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.94	-0.97	+1.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	0.88	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.81	-0.83	+1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.72	-1.68	+3.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VZ vs. MA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VZ Sharpe Ratio is 0.48, which is higher than the MA Sharpe Ratio of -0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VZ 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

	VZ	MA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48	-0.78	+1.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	0.28	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19	0.69	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.83	-0.63

Drawdowns

VZ vs. MA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VZ drawdown since its inception was -50.66%, smaller than the maximum MA drawdown of -62.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VZ and MA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VZ	MA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.66%	-62.67%	+12.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.32%	-20.91%	+7.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.93%	-20.91%	+5.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.38%	-28.25%	-10.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.21%	-41.00%	-0.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.23%	-18.55%	+8.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.83%	-9.82%	-5.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.24%	10.26%	-4.02%

Volatility

VZ vs. MA - Volatility Comparison

Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) and Mastercard Incorporated (MA) have volatilities of 6.15% and 6.33%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VZ	MA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.15%	6.33%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.91%	17.37%	+0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.59%	22.28%	+0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.61%	23.99%	-2.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.34%	26.93%	-6.59%

Dividends

VZ vs. MA - Dividend Comparison

VZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.08%, 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%
VZ Verizon Communications Inc.	6.08%	6.68%	6.68%	6.96%	6.53%	4.85%	4.21%	3.95%	4.22%	4.39%	4.26%	4.79%

Financials

VZ vs. MA - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Verizon Communications Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

VZ - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Verizon Communications Inc. reported a gross profit of 20.77B and revenue of 34.44B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 60.3%.

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%.

VZ - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Verizon Communications Inc. reported an operating income of 8.24B and revenue of 34.44B, resulting in an operating margin of 23.9%.

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%.

VZ - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Verizon Communications Inc. reported a net income of 5.05B and revenue of 34.44B, resulting in a net margin of 14.7%.

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%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VZ and MA in my portfolio?

VZ and MA have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VZ or MA?

MA has higher volatility (6.33%) compared to VZ (6.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VZ dropped -50.66% vs MA's -62.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.48 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.