MA vs WU
Mastercard Incorporated compared with The Western Union Company on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
MA
Mastercard Incorporated
TTM yield · Quarterly
WU
The Western Union Company
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- WU yields more today: 13.43% vs 0.61% (forward).
- MA has grown its payout faster: 14.4%/yr vs 0.4%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- MA has the longer streak of annual increases: 14 years vs 0.
- Over the last year MA delivered the higher total return: -3.5% vs -8.4% (price change plus payouts).
- MA raises fewer payout-risk flags on our heuristic (low vs moderate).
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | MA | WU |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $570.89 | $7.00 |
| TTM yield | 0.59% | 13.43% |
| Forward yield | 0.61% | 13.43% |
| Annual payout per share | $3.48 | $0.94 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 8, 2026 (est.) | Sep 16, 2026 (declared) |
| Payout ratio (earnings) | 18% | 76% |
| 1-year payout growth | +14.6% | +0.0% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +14.4% | +0.4% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 14 years | 0 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 87/100 | 100/100 |
| 1-year total return | -3.5% | -8.4% |
| 1-year price return | -4.1% | -19.3% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 500.1B | 2.2B |
| Years paying | 19.9 | 19.7 |
| Payout risk (heuristic) | Low | Moderate |
| Sector / category | Financial Services | Financial Services |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| MA | WU | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 17.5 | 1,428.6 |
| Income per year | $61 | $1,343 |
| Income per month (avg) | $5 | $112 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA Oct 8, 2026 | Oct 22, 2026 | $0.87 | Est. |
| MA Jan 7, 2027 | Jan 21, 2027 | $0.87 | Est. |
| MA Apr 8, 2027 | Apr 22, 2027 | $0.87 | Est. |
| WU Sep 16, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | $0.235 | Declared |
| WU Dec 16, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | $0.235 | Est. |
| WU Mar 17, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 | $0.235 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
MAWU
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, MA or WU?
WU currently has the higher trailing yield: MA yields 0.59% and WU yields 13.43%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do MA and WU pay?
MA pays every quarter and WU pays every quarter. MA's next ex-date is Oct 8, 2026 and WU's is Sep 16, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, MA or WU?
MA has grown its payout faster: 14.4%/yr vs 0.4%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is MA or WU better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. MA and WU differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.