Capital One vs Visa (COF vs V)
Capital One (COF) vs Visa (V) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Capital One (COF) and Visa (V) compete in financial services and payments. Here are Capital One and Visa side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Capital One or Visa.
Capital One vs Visa: the figures
| Figure | Capital One | Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $206.31 (November 4, 2026) | $436.57 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $126.6 billion | $816.0 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 12.6x | 35.4x |
| Forward P/E | 8.6x | 25.5x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +6.2% | +13.2% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 22.2% | 51.2% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | N/A | 0.3x |
| Dividend yield | 1.53% | 0.64% |
| Beta | 1.09 | 0.79 |
Capital One and Visa figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Capital One or Visa figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Capital One and Visa
- Valuation: Visa trades at 35.4x its annual earnings and Capital One at 12.6x; the market pays more for each dollar of Visa profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Visa keeps 51.2 as net profit and Capital One keeps 22.2.
- Size: Visa is worth $816.0 billion on the stock market, about 6.4 times Capital One ($126.6 billion).
Capital One or Visa: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Visa is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Capital One pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Visa has a less volatile share price, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Capital One trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Capital One nor Visa wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Capital One and Visa make money
Capital One (COF)
Capital One makes most of its money from interest and fees on credit cards, its largest segment, which grew with the acquisition of Discover and its payment network. It also reports Consumer Banking, mainly auto loans and retail deposits, and Commercial Banking, which lends to U.S. businesses. Full Capital One analysis.
Visa (V)
Visa runs the VisaNet payments network and charges card-issuing and acquiring banks fees on each transaction, without taking on cardholder credit risk. It reports service revenue, data processing revenue, its largest line, international transaction revenue, and other revenue, including value-added services. It operates worldwide. Full Visa analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Capital One vs Visa
Is Capital One or Visa the better stock?
Choosing between Capital One and Visa depends on what you are looking for. Visa is growing faster right now, and Capital One trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Capital One or Visa: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Capital One or Visa?
As of November 4, 2026, Capital One yields 1.53% and Visa yields 0.64%. Also check how much of their profit Capital One and Visa pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Capital One or Visa?
On P/E, Visa (35.4x) is more expensive than Capital One (12.6x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both Capital One and Visa?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Capital One and Visa, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Capital One or Visa.
More comparisons with Capital One or Visa
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- Capital One vs S&P Global
- Capital One vs KKR
- Capital One vs Mastercard
More companies like Capital One and Visa: financial services and payments stocks. Educational content about Capital One and Visa, not investment advice.