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

Updated on October 9, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	AXP	C
Company Name	American Express Company	Citigroup Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Consumer Finance	Banks
Market Capitalization	231.03 billion USD	180.50 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 1, 1972	January 3, 1977
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AXP and C 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	C
5-Day Price Return	-0.05%	-3.40%
13-Week Price Return	2.87%	11.93%
26-Week Price Return	22.74%	39.00%
52-Week Price Return	23.60%	59.93%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.05%	-3.40%
Year-to-Date Return	11.86%	39.30%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.29M	13.17M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.64M	14.05M
3-Month Volatility	21.51%	22.42%
Beta	1.16	1.22

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

C

6.72%

Banks Industry

Max: 25.40%
Q3: 15.55%
Median: 12.00%
Q1: 8.98%
Min: -0.10%

C’s Return on Equity of 6.72% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

C

17.37%

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.73%
Median: 28.97%
Q1: 22.56%
Min: 6.98%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Banks industry, C’s Net Profit Margin of 17.37% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

C

23.02%

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.73%
Median: 37.24%
Q1: 28.25%
Min: 12.28%

C’s Operating Profit Margin of 23.02% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	C
Return on Equity (TTM)	32.87%	6.72%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.62%	0.57%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.55%	17.37%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	17.15%	23.02%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	61.37%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

C

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

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

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

C

3.38

Banks Industry

Max: 5.78
Q3: 2.66
Median: 1.05
Q1: 0.40
Min: 0.00

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

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

C

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

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

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	C
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	6.47	3.38
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	33.37	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

AXP vs. C: 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

AXP vs. C: 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)

AXP

0.92%

Consumer Finance Industry

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

AXP’s Dividend Yield of 0.92% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Finance industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

C

2.93%

Banks Industry

Max: 11.03%
Q3: 6.00%
Median: 3.87%
Q1: 2.41%
Min: 0.00%

C’s Dividend Yield of 2.93% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

C

37.43%

Banks Industry

Max: 134.24%
Q3: 79.39%
Median: 55.09%
Q1: 36.09%
Min: 0.00%

C’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 37.43% is within the typical range for the Banks industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	C
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.92%	2.93%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	20.97%	37.43%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AXP

22.72

Consumer Finance Industry

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

A P/E Ratio of 22.72 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.

C

12.77

Banks Industry

Max: 22.69
Q3: 13.75
Median: 10.32
Q1: 7.73
Min: 2.59

C’s P/E Ratio of 12.77 is within the middle range for the Banks industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AXP

3.08

Consumer Finance Industry

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

AXP’s P/S Ratio of 3.08 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.

C

1.10

Banks Industry

Max: 4.90
Q3: 2.98
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.59
Min: 0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

C

0.73

Banks Industry

Max: 2.09
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.11
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.29

C’s P/B Ratio of 0.73 is in the lower quartile for the Banks 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 vs. C: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Finance and Banks industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	C
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	22.72	12.77
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.08	1.10
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	6.87	0.73
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	17.25	7.83