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Mastercard Incorporated (MA) vs W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB): Which Is the Better Buy in 2026?

As of 2026-11-01, MA is overvalued at $638, with a DCF intrinsic value of $563 and a margin of safety of -13%. WRB is fairly valued at $74, with an intrinsic value of $76 and a margin of safety of 2%. Of the two, WRB has the wider margin of safety.

MA
Mastercard Incorporated
$638.01
VS
WRB
W. R. Berkley Corporation
$73.86

Rewards

MA
  • ★Mastercard Incorporated has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • ★Gross margin of 100.0% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • ★Mastercard Incorporated scores 99/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
WRB
  • ★W. R. Berkley Corporation scores 99/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with revenue predictability as the strongest competitive dimension.
  • ★Free cash flow has grown at a 10.7% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
  • ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $1.38 of earning power — management is creating shareholder value.

Risks

MA
  • ⚠FCF yield of 3.0% is below 3%, meaning the market is pricing in substantial future growth to justify the current price.
  • ⚠High leverage (2.00x net debt/equity) combined with thin interest coverage (-1.0x) poses financial risk.
  • ⚠9 insider sales totaling $24.1M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
WRB
  • ⚠PEG ratio of 4.86 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
  • ⚠Altman Z-Score of 1.22 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.

Key Valuation Metrics

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MA
WRB
Valuation
$16.63B
Free Cash Flow
N/A
2.99%
FCF Yield
N/A
33.39
Trailing P/E
15.62
27.58
Forward P/E
15.22
Quality & Moat
56.56%
ROIC
14.58%
231.37%
ROE
18.08%
100.00%
Gross Margin
43.60%
1.66
PEG Ratio
4.86
Balance Sheet Safety
2.00
Net Debt / Equity
Net cash
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
0.59
Net Debt / EBITDA
-0.32
0.55%
Dividend Yield
0.54%
MA: 4Ties: 2WRB: 4
MAWRB

Historical Fundamentals

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MA

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

WRB

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

$1 Retained Earnings Test

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MA
$5.62
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$31.68B
Δ Market Cap
+$177.96B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
WRB
$2.28
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$3.18B
Δ Market Cap
+$7.25B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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MA
13.3% Overvalued
Price is 13.3% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $638.01
Fair Value: $562.90
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
WRB
2.2% Margin of Safety
Price is 2.2% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $73.86
Fair Value: $75.52
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued

Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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MA

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $638?

+16.4%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +15.0%

The market implies +16.4% Owner Earnings growth, roughly in line with history — reasonably priced.

Standard FCF implies +15.0%, reflecting ongoing growth investment.

WRB

Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

Economic Moat Score

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MA
99/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. ROIC Consistency is the standout factor.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
WRB
99/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat driven primarily by revenue predictability. Margin Stability is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

Forensic Accounting

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MA
-2.53
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
WRB
-2.63
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Ownership Breakdown

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MA
Insiders 0.1%Institutions 91.1%Retail & Other 8.8%
No. of Institutional Holders4,838
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
WRB
Insiders 26.3%Institutions 75.6%
No. of Institutional Holders1,296
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

Insider Buying Activity

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MA
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
WRB
0
Buys (3M)
19
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $665.29M
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$18.75M
@ $72.61 · 2026-03-03
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$21.49M
@ $71.65 · 2026-02-27
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$39.38M
@ $71.13 · 2026-02-25
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$35.74M
@ $70.70 · 2026-02-20
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$2.84M
@ $70.93 · 2026-02-13
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$6.83M
@ $69.68 · 2026-02-11
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$2.84M
@ $70.88 · 2026-02-06
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$21.45M
@ $68.05 · 2026-02-04
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$33.09M
@ $68.22 · 2026-01-30
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$69.30M
@ $67.35 · 2026-01-28
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$46.90M
@ $67.19 · 2026-01-23
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$42.61M
@ $67.64 · 2026-01-21
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$36.64M
@ $68.49 · 2026-01-16
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$55.62M
@ $68.58 · 2026-01-14
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$32.64M
@ $69.45 · 2026-01-09
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$47.42M
@ $69.61 · 2026-01-07
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$47.17M
@ $70.11 · 2026-01-02
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$62.04M
@ $70.53 · 2025-12-29
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE CO., LTD.
Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
$42.55M
@ $69.71 · 2025-12-22
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

Insider Selling Activity

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MA
9
Sells (3M)
16
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $69.73M
LING HAI
Chief Financial Officer
$2.68M
@ $620.00 · 2026-10-16
GENACHOWSKI JULIUS
Director
$435,418
@ $587.61 · 2026-10-12
SACHIN J. MEHRA
Officer
$1.91M
@ $584.00 · 2026-09-02
KIRKPATRICK LINDA PISTECCHIA
Officer
$547,837
@ $593.54 · 2026-08-31
SACHIN J. MEHRA
Officer
$4.87M
@ $576.53 · 2026-08-20
KIRKPATRICK LINDA PISTECCHIA
Officer
$673,201
@ $565.24 · 2026-08-17
MIEBACH MICHAEL
Chief Executive Officer
$8.84M
@ $575.00 · 2026-08-05
SACHIN J. MEHRA
Officer
$1.72M
@ $571.87 · 2026-08-05
KIRKPATRICK LINDA PISTECCHIA
Officer
$2.44M
@ $570.31 · 2026-08-04
MIEBACH MICHAEL
Chief Executive Officer
$19.08M
@ $573.84 · 2026-08-03
ARKELL SANDRA A
Officer
$185,760
@ $540.00 · 2026-07-15
MCLAUGHLIN EDWARD GRUNDE
Officer
$10.59M
@ $534.87 · 2026-07-15
ARKELL SANDRA A
Officer
$216,000
@ $540.00 · 2026-07-07
SESHADRI RAJEEV
Officer
$3.58M
@ $526.37 · 2026-07-02
MCLAUGHLIN EDWARD GRUNDE
Officer
$7.49M
@ $525.19 · 2026-07-01
LING HAI
Officer
$4.48M
@ $499.20 · 2026-02-24
SACHIN J. MEHRA
Chief Financial Officer
$10.20M
@ $591.00 · 2025-09-02
LING HAI
Officer
$2.69M
@ $600.00 · 2025-08-22
SACHIN J. MEHRA
Chief Financial Officer
$10.46M
@ $586.89 · 2025-08-19
SACHIN J. MEHRA
Chief Financial Officer
$3.83M
@ $566.46 · 2025-08-05
GENACHOWSKI JULIUS
Director
$178,049
@ $570.67 · 2025-07-07
KIRKPATRICK LINDA PISTECCHIA
Officer
$536,480
@ $560.00 · 2025-06-30
SESHADRI RAJEEV
Officer
$601,447
@ $546.77 · 2025-06-27
KIRKPATRICK LINDA PISTECCHIA
Officer
$536,480
@ $560.00 · 2025-06-24
GENACHOWSKI JULIUS
Director
$173,910
@ $561.00 · 2025-06-24
VOSBURG CRAIG
Officer
$5.02M
@ $532.97 · 2025-06-20
SESHADRI RAJEEV
Officer
$508,474
@ $535.80 · 2025-06-20
SESHADRI RAJEEV
Officer
$1.76M
@ $561.78 · 2025-06-16
KIRKPATRICK LINDA PISTECCHIA
Officer
$549,373
@ $572.86 · 2025-06-13
VOSBURG CRAIG
Officer
$5.55M
@ $588.18 · 2025-06-12
VOSBURG CRAIG
Officer
$8.22M
@ $585.05 · 2025-06-05
ARKELL SANDRA A
Officer
$218,223
@ $577.31 · 2025-05-15
ARKELL SANDRA A
Officer
$257,535
@ $572.30 · 2025-05-12
MIEBACH MICHAEL
Chief Executive Officer
$8.68M
@ $550.16 · 2025-03-26
MCLAUGHLIN EDWARD GRUNDE
Officer
$3.81M
@ $534.68 · 2025-03-19
VOSBURG CRAIG
Officer
$6.12M
@ $556.14 · 2025-03-05
MIEBACH MICHAEL
Chief Executive Officer
$9.78M
@ $553.76 · 2025-03-05
VOSBURG CRAIG
Officer
$6.19M
@ $562.72 · 2025-02-26
VOSBURG CRAIG
Officer
$7.97M
@ $565.00 · 2025-02-18
MIEBACH MICHAEL
Chief Executive Officer
$10.17M
@ $564.95 · 2025-02-18
MCLAUGHLIN EDWARD GRUNDE
Officer
$6.18M
@ $564.99 · 2025-02-18
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
WRB
0
Sells (3M)
0
Sells (12M)
No open market insider sales found.
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

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MA
FearGreed
😏Greed(74/100)

"Market is optimistic — be cautious and ensure you have a margin of safety"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
WRB
FearGreed
😏Greed(62/100)

"Market is optimistic — be cautious and ensure you have a margin of safety"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

⚖️ Buffett Signal

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MA
⚪Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Greed (74)
WRB
⚪Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Greed (62)
View MA Full AnalysisView WRB Full Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions: MA vs WRB

Is Mastercard Incorporated or W. R. Berkley Corporation more undervalued in 2026?▼

Based on our discounted cash flow model, WRB trades at a 2.2% margin of safety (intrinsic value $76 vs. price $74), compared to MA's -13.3% margin of safety (intrinsic $563 vs. $638).

Which stock has a wider economic moat, Mastercard Incorporated or W. R. Berkley Corporation?▼

WRB scores 99/100 (Wide moat), while MA scores 99/100 (Wide moat). The moat score measures competitive advantage durability across ROIC consistency, margin stability, revenue predictability, and reinvestment efficiency.

Is W. R. Berkley Corporation in financial distress?▼

WRB's Altman Z-Score of 1.2 places it in the Distress zone, signaling elevated bankruptcy risk. MA scores 10.6 (Safe zone). The Altman Z-Score is a five-factor model that predicts insolvency within two years; scores below 1.81 indicate significant distress.

Which stock has higher return on invested capital, Mastercard Incorporated or W. R. Berkley Corporation?▼

MA earns 56.6% ROIC versus WRB's 14.6%. A higher ROIC means the company generates more profit per dollar of capital employed, a hallmark of durable competitive advantage in Buffett-style analysis.

Which dividend is safer, Mastercard Incorporated's or W. R. Berkley Corporation's?▼

WRB's dividend earns a safety score of 94/100 (Very Safe), compared to MA's 94/100 (Very Safe). WRB has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years.

MA vs WRB: Which Is the Better Buy in 2026? | SafetyMargin.io