The SEC classifies these issuers under “Services-Business Services, NEC” (SIC 7389). A shared code is a starting point for finding comparable businesses. Product mix, geography and customers can still differ substantially. Read the company descriptions before treating the group as direct competitors.
Align the reporting periods before comparing annual results. Companies with different year ends report different 12-month windows.
| Fiscal year end (SEC) | Companies |
|---|---|
| December 31 | AKAM, EBAY, FIS, FISV, GPN, MA, MSCI, PYPL |
| September 30 | FICO, V |
| June 30 | BR |
| August 31 | ACN |
Company research page
Mastercard runs a global payments network that processes card and digital transactions for banks and merchants. Like its main rival, it profits from payment volumes rather than carrying credit risk.
Company research page
Visa operates the world's largest electronic-payments network, earning fees on card transactions rather than lending. Its rails power a huge share of global consumer and commercial spending.
Accenture provides IT consulting, systems integration, and outsourcing services to large enterprises and governments across the globe.
Akamai operates a global content-delivery network and cloud security services that speed up and protect websites.
Broadridge provides investor communications and technology that process trades and proxy voting.
eBay operates a global online marketplace connecting buyers and sellers of new and used goods.
Fair Isaac develops the FICO credit score and analytics software used by lenders to assess consumer risk.
FIS provides banking and payments technology that powers financial institutions and merchants.
Fiserv provides payment processing and financial technology, including the Clover merchant platform.
Global Payments provides merchant payment processing and software for businesses.
MSCI provides investment indices, analytics, and ESG research used by asset managers worldwide.
PayPal operates digital-payment platforms including PayPal, Venmo, and Braintree for online and in-store commerce.
Compare Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated: business context, fiscal calendars and official filings.
Compare Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. and Visa Inc.: business context, fiscal calendars and official filings.
Compare Fiserv, Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated: business context, fiscal calendars and official filings.
Compare Fiserv, Inc. and Visa Inc.: business context, fiscal calendars and official filings.
Compare Global Payments Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated: business context, fiscal calendars and official filings.
Compare Global Payments Inc. and Visa Inc.: business context, fiscal calendars and official filings.
Compare Mastercard Incorporated and MSCI Inc.: business context, fiscal calendars and official filings.
Compare Mastercard Incorporated and PayPal Holdings, Inc.: business context, fiscal calendars and official filings.
Industry codes and annual filing references come from the SEC submissions snapshot linked to each issuer in our company catalog (snapshot ; newer filings may exist). Only groups with at least three distinct issuers, business descriptions and annual filing links are included. Multiple share classes of one issuer count as one company. This is a coverage directory, not a complete industry census or a ranking of investments.
SEC Standard Industrial Classification code list explains the classification system. Read our research methodology or browse all industry directories.
Financials describe the business. The next question is which assumptions an investment thesis depends on. Explore the member reports below for analysis of catalysts, risks, and what would change the view. $39/month or $249/year.
Members-only research
$39/mo or $249/yr · cancel future renewals anytime · sources included