MA vs STEP
Mastercard Incorporated compared with StepStone Group Inc. on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
MA
Mastercard Incorporated
TTM yield · Quarterly
STEP
StepStone Group Inc.
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- STEP yields more today: 2.60% vs 0.61% (forward).
- STEP has grown its payout faster: 17.5%/yr vs 15.3%/yr over the last 3 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- MA has the longer streak of annual increases: 14 years vs 4.
- Over the last year MA delivered the higher total return: -3.5% vs -15.5% (price change plus payouts).
- MA raises fewer payout-risk flags on our heuristic (low vs elevated).
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | MA | STEP |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $570.89 | $50.74 |
| TTM yield | 0.59% | 3.39% |
| Forward yield | 0.61% | 2.60% |
| Annual payout per share | $3.48 | $1.32 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 8, 2026 (est.) | Nov 30, 2026 (est.) |
| Payout ratio (earnings) | 18% | 167% |
| 1-year payout growth | +14.6% | +22.9% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +14.4% | — |
| Consecutive years of increases | 14 years | 4 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 87/100 | 47/100 |
| 1-year total return | -3.5% | -15.5% |
| 1-year price return | -4.1% | -18.2% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 500.1B | 6.5B |
| Years paying | 19.9 | 5.5 |
| Payout risk (heuristic) | Low | Elevated |
| 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 | STEP | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 17.5 | 197.1 |
| Income per year | $61 | $260 |
| Income per month (avg) | $5 | $22 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model MA · Model STEP
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. |
| STEP Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 15, 2026 | $0.33 | Est. |
| STEP Mar 1, 2027 | Mar 16, 2027 | $0.33 | Est. |
| STEP May 31, 2027 | Jun 15, 2027 | $0.33 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
MASTEP
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 STEP?
STEP currently has the higher trailing yield: MA yields 0.59% and STEP yields 3.39%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do MA and STEP pay?
MA pays every quarter and STEP pays every quarter. MA's next ex-date is Oct 8, 2026 and STEP's is Nov 30, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, MA or STEP?
STEP has grown its payout faster: 17.5%/yr vs 15.3%/yr over the last 3 years.
Is MA or STEP better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. MA and STEP 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.