ARCC vs. AXP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 6, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ARCC and AXP, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	ARCC	AXP
Company Name	Ares Capital Corporation	American Express Company
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Consumer Finance
Market Capitalization	14.21 billion USD	229.81 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	October 5, 2004	June 1, 1972
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ARCC and AXP by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ARCC vs. AXP: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	AXP
5-Day Price Return	-1.42%	-3.53%
13-Week Price Return	-10.08%	0.64%
26-Week Price Return	-9.07%	22.74%
52-Week Price Return	-3.31%	21.90%
Month-to-Date Return	-1.27%	-0.58%
Year-to-Date Return	-7.95%	11.27%
10-Day Avg. Volume	5.92M	2.42M
3-Month Avg. Volume	4.03M	2.64M
3-Month Volatility	15.43%	21.54%
Beta	0.64	1.16

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ARCC

10.05%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: -4.25%

ARCC’s Return on Equity of 10.05% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

AXP

32.87%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 32.87%
Q3: 21.72%
Median: 12.80%
Q1: 9.07%
Min: -3.88%

In the upper quartile for the Consumer Finance industry, AXP’s Return on Equity of 32.87% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

ARCC vs. AXP: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Finance industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ARCC

44.94%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

A Net Profit Margin of 44.94% places ARCC in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

AXP

13.55%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 19.68%
Q3: 17.11%
Median: 13.55%
Q1: 9.71%
Min: -0.75%

AXP’s Net Profit Margin of 13.55% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Finance industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

ARCC vs. AXP: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Finance industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ARCC

48.72%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
Min: -21.87%

An Operating Profit Margin of 48.72% places ARCC in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

AXP

17.15%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 50.11%
Q3: 32.02%
Median: 19.92%
Q1: 14.90%
Min: -5.45%

AXP’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.15% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Finance industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

ARCC vs. AXP: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Finance industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	AXP
Return on Equity (TTM)	10.05%	32.87%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.80%	3.62%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	44.94%	13.55%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	48.72%	17.15%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	50.28%	61.37%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ARCC

1.07

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

AXP

0.71

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 7.85
Q3: 4.26
Median: 2.28
Q1: 0.82
Min: 0.07

For the Consumer Finance industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

ARCC vs. AXP: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Finance industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ARCC

1.01

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

AXP

6.47

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 6.63
Q3: 3.60
Median: 2.40
Q1: 0.99
Min: 0.23

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Consumer Finance industry.

ARCC vs. AXP: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Finance industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

2.48

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

AXP

33.37

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 49.63
Q3: 28.11
Median: 4.75
Q1: 2.86
Min: -15.69

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Consumer Finance industry.

ARCC vs. AXP: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Finance industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	AXP
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	0.71
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	0.71
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.01	6.47
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.48	33.37

Growth

Revenue Growth

ARCC vs. AXP: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ARCC vs. AXP: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ARCC

8.45%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 8.45%, ARCC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Capital Markets industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

AXP

0.93%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 7.21%
Q3: 3.38%
Median: 2.39%
Q1: 0.67%
Min: 0.00%

AXP’s Dividend Yield of 0.93% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Finance industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

ARCC vs. AXP: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Finance industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

89.80%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
Min: 0.00%

ARCC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 89.80% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

AXP

20.97%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 145.89%
Q3: 88.89%
Median: 25.97%
Q1: 9.25%
Min: 0.00%

AXP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 20.97% is within the typical range for the Consumer Finance industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

ARCC vs. AXP: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Finance industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	AXP
Dividend Yield (TTM)	8.45%	0.93%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	89.80%	20.97%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

10.63

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, ARCC’s P/E Ratio of 10.63 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

AXP

22.61

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 35.93
Q3: 20.63
Median: 12.65
Q1: 9.73
Min: 3.96

A P/E Ratio of 22.61 places AXP in the upper quartile for the Consumer Finance industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

ARCC vs. AXP: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Finance industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

4.78

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

ARCC’s P/S Ratio of 4.78 aligns with the market consensus for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

AXP

3.06

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 3.79
Q3: 2.71
Median: 1.91
Q1: 1.14
Min: 0.61

AXP’s P/S Ratio of 3.06 is in the upper echelon for the Consumer Finance industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

ARCC vs. AXP: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Finance industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ARCC

1.09

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

ARCC’s P/B Ratio of 1.09 is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

AXP

6.87

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 3.80
Q3: 2.83
Median: 2.02
Q1: 1.18
Min: 0.26

At 6.87, AXP’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Consumer Finance industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

ARCC vs. AXP: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Finance industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	AXP
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	10.63	22.61
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	4.78	3.06
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.09	6.87
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	15.67	17.17