Fiserv vs PayPal: Which Is the Stronger Buy Today?
PayPal fell -10% during the past Week. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer Fiserv gives you more. Fiserv (FI) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs PayPal (PYPL) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in FI
- FI’s quarterly revenue growth was 8.0%, vs. PYPL’s 7.3%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 6.7%, ahead of PYPL’s 4.5%.
- FI leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 30.0% and 3-year average of 26.7%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how PYPL’s fundamentals stack up against those of FI on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| PYPL | FI | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 9.1 | 5.5 | FI |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 7.3% | 8.0% | FI |
| Last 12 Months | 4.5% | 6.7% | FI |
| Last 3 Year Average | 6.7% | 7.5% | FI |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 19.2% | 30.0% | FI |
| Last 3 Year Average | 17.9% | 26.7% | FI |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | -28.7% | -36.1% | PYPL |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: PYPL Revenue Comparison | FI Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: PYPL Operating Income Comparison | FI Operating Income Comparison
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See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell FI Stock and Buy or Sell PYPL Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| PYPL Return | 117% | -19% | -62% | -14% | 39% | -27% | -43% | ||
| FI Return | -2% | -9% | -3% | 31% | 55% | -69% | -45% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 13% | 105% | <=== | |
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| PYPL Win Rate | 67% | 50% | 25% | 58% | 58% | 60% | 53% | ||
| FI Win Rate | 50% | 50% | 50% | 67% | 67% | 30% | 52% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | 64% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| PYPL Max Drawdown | -21% | -23% | -64% | -29% | -9% | -33% | -30% | ||
| FI Max Drawdown | -33% | -16% | -15% | -2% | -1% | -70% | -23% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 11/18/2025 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read FI Dip Buyer Analyses and PYPL Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
Still not sure about PYPL or FI? Consider portfolio approach.
Stock Picking Falls Short Against Multi Asset Portfolios
Individual stocks can soar or tank but multi asset exposure steadies the ride. A spread out portfolio captures upside while limiting the damage from any one market.
The asset allocation framework of Trefis’ Boston-based, wealth management partner yielded positive returns during the 2008-09 period when the S&P lost more than 40%. Our partner’ strategy now includes Trefis High Quality Portfolio, which has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 – the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices