When it comes to payment processors, Visa Inc (V  ) and Mastercard Inc (MA  ) are undeniable leaders in the financial industry.

With decades of experience and countless transactions under their belts, they have become household names. But which of these giants is dominating the stock market?

Upon initial observation, it appears that Mastercard and Visa are equally competitive. Mastercard has gained 15% year-to-date, while Visa has slightly outperformed with a 16% gain.

However, experienced investors understand the importance of going beyond surface-level numbers and conducting a more in-depth analysis.

A closer examination of the growth since January 2009, reveals that both Visa and Mastercard have demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength.

Mastercard, however, shines in this comparison, as it has experienced an astonishing 3176% growth over the same period, surpassing Visa's impressive 2195% growth.

This substantial disparity underscores Mastercard's exceptional long-term performance despite Visa's slightly higher recent gains.

Visa's path has been marked by obstacles. It reached a peak of $252 in July 2021, only to face a 30% decline and enter a period of consolidation.

Regardless, there is hope for Visa investors. The stock is poised for a breakthrough, requiring just a 3% upward shift in momentum to reach this significant milestone.

The bullish candle for August is particularly noteworthy, especially in comparison to the current bearish corrections in the market, as seen in indices like the S&P 500.

Mastercard's stock has experienced a series of challenges and setbacks in its trajectory. In April 2021, it struggled to surpass the psychological barrier of the $400 round number, ultimately declining by 30%.

Despite a brief surge in July 2023, the momentum was not sustained. However, there is now another surge happening this month, and if the stock manages to close above this resistance level by the end of the month, it could indicate the start of a long-term bullish trend for Mastercard.

Mastercard's current dominance in terms of its past performance and ability to challenge resistance levels is vital for investors to pay attention to. Still, it is important not to underestimate Visa.

Visa's stock has a track record of trending positively, and a potential breakthrough could present lucrative opportunities for investors.

Additionally, the potential to increase profits by strategically adding compound positions adds even more value to investing in Visa.

After the closing bell on Friday, August 25, Visa closed at $242.57, trading up by 1.28%, and Mastercard closed at $402.89, trading up by 1.30%.