MA vs VIRT: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 18, 2026, MA and VIRT are closely matched. VIRT offers the higher yield at 1.69%, MA has the higher dividend-safety score, and VIRT looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 52% above its share price).
Key facts: MA vs VIRT
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 18, 2026, Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) has the higher forward dividend yield at 1.69%, versus 0.56% for Mastercard Incorporated (MA).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends grades MA's dividend safety A (89/100) and VIRT's A (83/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 18, 2026, MA has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years and VIRT for 0.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, MA pays out 18% of its earnings as dividends and VIRT pays out 16%.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, MA's fair-value estimate is 23% below its share price and VIRT's fair-value estimate is 52% above its share price, so VIRT looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "MA vs VIRT: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ma-vs-virt
| Metric | MA | VIRT |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.56% | 1.69% |
| Annual dividend | $3.48 | $0.96 |
| Payout ratio | 18% | 16% |
| Years of growth | 14 yr | 0 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.7% | 0.0% |
| 5-yr total return | 96% | 102% |
| Dividend safety score | 89 (A) | 83 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $474.95 | $86.51 |
| Upside to fair value | -23% | +52% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $540.9B | $5.0B |
| P/E ratio | 34.0 | 9.4 |
Higher yield
VIRT
1.69%
Safer dividend
MA
Grade A
Faster growth
MA
13.7%
Better value
VIRT
+52% upside
MA vs VIRT — FAQ
Is MA or VIRT a better dividend stock?
MA and VIRT are closely matched. VIRT has the higher yield; MA scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, MA or VIRT?
VIRT has the higher forward dividend yield at 1.69%, versus 0.56% for MA.
Is MA or VIRT safer?
MA has the higher dividend-safety score (89/100 vs 83/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is MA or VIRT better value right now?
As of Oct 18, 2026, VIRT looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 52% above its share price (undervalued). For MA, its fair-value estimate is 23% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.