On the stock market since 2006, it operates in the world of money and finance. It has 39,800 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
That much dependence is a risk in itself: if this one line weakens, the whole company feels it directly.
Average growth of 15% a year over the last 4 years. Every year shown ended in profit.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Profit power and business quality lead the class.
For a bank, strength is measured by capital buffers and reserves — not cash minus debt.
Clearly below the class average.
Sales are growing strongly for its sector.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Valuation: The stock trades at a price that looks expensive next to its earnings; that can cap future returns.
The stock trades near its peak today. For long-term holders the ride has paid off so far — though past performance guarantees nothing about the future.
The net profit margin is 46% — still a thick cushion, though costs have been eating into it lately.
Over the last 3 years, sales grew about 14% a year on average.
It met or beat analyst expectations in 8 of the last 8 quarters — consistency is a promise kept.
The company’s market value is 33 times its annual profit. Even a small disappointment could hit the price hard.
Today’s price already includes part of tomorrow’s optimism. Report-card grade: 22/100.
No clear buy-side message is coming from the executive floor.
On our five-subject report card, MA sits near the top of the class. A high grade doesn’t mean “guaranteed win” — it means “the evidence looks strong for now.”
The takeaway: MA is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s whether the price paid for the stock is too high.
The total grade weighs these five subjects against the sector — it isn’t a simple average of the five.
Analysts’ average target sits above today’s price, yet the valuation grade (22/100) says the stock isn’t cheap.