FDS vs MA: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 24, 2026, FDS and MA are closely matched. FDS offers the higher yield at 1.40%, FDS has the higher dividend-safety score, and MA looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 23% below its share price).
Key facts: FDS vs MA
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 24, 2026, FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) has the higher forward dividend yield at 1.40%, versus 0.56% for Mastercard Incorporated (MA).
- As of Oct 24, 2026, SmarterDividends grades FDS's dividend safety A (93/100) and MA's A (89/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 24, 2026, FDS has raised its dividend for 26 consecutive years and MA for 14.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, FDS pays out 31% of its earnings as dividends and MA pays out 18%.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, FDS's fair-value estimate is 26% below its share price and MA's fair-value estimate is 23% below its share price, so MA looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "FDS vs MA: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 24, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/fds-vs-ma
| Metric | FDS | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 1.40% | 0.56% |
| Annual dividend | $4.64 | $3.48 |
| Payout ratio | 31% | 18% |
| Years of growth | 26 yr | 14 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 7.5% | 13.7% |
| 5-yr total return | -29% | 98% |
| Dividend safety score | 93 (A) | 89 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $243.87 | $483.05 |
| Upside to fair value | -26% | -23% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $11.8B | $546.3B |
| P/E ratio | 22.7 | 33.7 |
Higher yield
FDS
1.40%
Safer dividend
FDS
Grade A
Faster growth
MA
13.7%
Better value
MA
-23% upside
FDS vs MA — FAQ
Is FDS or MA a better dividend stock?
FDS and MA are closely matched. FDS has the higher yield; FDS scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, FDS or MA?
FDS has the higher forward dividend yield at 1.40%, versus 0.56% for MA.
Is FDS or MA safer?
FDS has the higher dividend-safety score (93/100 vs 89/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is FDS or MA better value right now?
As of Oct 24, 2026, MA looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 23% below its share price (overvalued). For FDS, its fair-value estimate is 26% below its share price.
Related comparisons
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.