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

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

Company Profile

SymbolAXPCSCO
Company NameAmerican Express CompanyCisco Systems, Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorFinancialsInformation Technology
GICS IndustryConsumer FinanceCommunications Equipment
Market Capitalization214.61 billion USD265.76 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENasdaqGS
Listing DateJune 1, 1972February 16, 1990
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AXP and CSCO 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. CSCO: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolAXPCSCO
5-Day Price Return0.22%-3.16%
13-Week Price Return3.04%4.99%
26-Week Price Return0.29%5.12%
52-Week Price Return21.39%34.27%
Month-to-Date Return3.04%-1.42%
Year-to-Date Return3.91%13.36%
10-Day Avg. Volume2.33M27.80M
3-Month Avg. Volume2.74M20.51M
3-Month Volatility22.06%19.17%
Beta1.320.98

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AXP

32.87%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max
32.87%
Q3
20.39%
Median
14.14%
Q1
7.64%
Min
-10.63%

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.

CSCO

22.74%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max
32.05%
Q3
19.58%
Median
11.77%
Q1
2.23%
Min
-11.93%

In the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, CSCO’s Return on Equity of 22.74% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AXP

13.55%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max
19.68%
Q3
15.94%
Median
13.37%
Q1
9.73%
Min
3.66%

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.

CSCO

18.45%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max
23.65%
Q3
14.32%
Median
5.31%
Q1
1.45%
Min
-12.72%

A Net Profit Margin of 18.45% places CSCO in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AXP

17.15%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max
50.11%
Q3
29.38%
Median
18.31%
Q1
14.26%
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.

CSCO

21.38%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max
42.27%
Q3
18.90%
Median
6.21%
Q1
2.97%
Min
-20.72%

An Operating Profit Margin of 21.38% places CSCO in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolAXPCSCO
Return on Equity (TTM)32.87%22.74%
Return on Assets (TTM)3.62%8.58%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)13.55%18.45%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)17.15%21.38%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)61.37%65.56%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AXP

0.71

Consumer Finance Industry

Max
5.34
Q3
4.21
Median
2.67
Q1
0.71
Min
0.20

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

CSCO

1.01

Communications Equipment Industry

Max
1.72
Q3
1.72
Median
1.46
Q1
1.18
Min
0.93

CSCO’s Current Ratio of 1.01 falls into the lower quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AXP

6.47

Consumer Finance Industry

Max
6.63
Q3
3.39
Median
2.21
Q1
0.94
Min
0.00

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

CSCO

0.60

Communications Equipment Industry

Max
1.55
Q3
0.92
Median
0.55
Q1
0.30
Min
0.00

CSCO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.60 is typical for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AXP

33.37

Consumer Finance Industry

Max
49.63
Q3
39.33
Median
4.56
Q1
2.97
Min
-15.69

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

CSCO

20.35

Communications Equipment Industry

Max
181.73
Q3
113.63
Median
7.59
Q1
3.82
Min
-5.39

CSCO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.35 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolAXPCSCO
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.711.01
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.710.92
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)6.470.60
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)33.3720.35

Growth

Revenue Growth

AXP vs. CSCO: 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. CSCO: 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

0.99%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max
8.31%
Q3
3.93%
Median
2.51%
Q1
0.84%
Min
0.00%

AXP’s Dividend Yield of 0.99% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Finance industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

CSCO

2.42%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max
3.88%
Q3
2.75%
Median
0.93%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

CSCO’s Dividend Yield of 2.42% is consistent with its peers in the Communications Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AXP

20.97%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max
145.89%
Q3
88.53%
Median
23.79%
Q1
0.00%
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.

CSCO

61.58%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max
111.16%
Q3
55.91%
Median
28.42%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

CSCO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 61.58% is in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

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

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolAXPCSCO
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.99%2.42%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)20.97%61.58%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AXP

21.11

Consumer Finance Industry

Max
34.39
Q3
20.36
Median
13.05
Q1
9.29
Min
4.74

A P/E Ratio of 21.11 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.

CSCO

25.42

Communications Equipment Industry

Max
57.30
Q3
47.92
Median
27.50
Q1
17.89
Min
13.89

CSCO’s P/E Ratio of 25.42 is within the middle range for the Communications Equipment 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. CSCO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AXP

2.86

Consumer Finance Industry

Max
4.28
Q3
2.67
Median
1.88
Q1
1.15
Min
0.55

AXP’s P/S Ratio of 2.86 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.

CSCO

4.69

Communications Equipment Industry

Max
11.03
Q3
5.53
Median
2.20
Q1
0.99
Min
0.40

CSCO’s P/S Ratio of 4.69 aligns with the market consensus for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AXP

6.87

Consumer Finance Industry

Max
3.63
Q3
2.40
Median
1.96
Q1
1.16
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.

CSCO

5.71

Communications Equipment Industry

Max
9.66
Q3
5.60
Median
3.73
Q1
2.67
Min
0.30

CSCO’s P/B Ratio of 5.71 is in the upper tier for the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

AXP vs. CSCO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Finance and Communications Equipment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolAXPCSCO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)21.1125.42
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)2.864.69
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)6.875.71
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)16.0320.00