AXP vs. LIN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AXP and LIN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AXP’s market capitalization stands at 229.88 billion USD, while LIN’s is 223.87 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
With betas of 1.25 for AXP and 0.98 for LIN, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AXP | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | American Express Company | Linde plc |
| Country | US | GB |
| Sector | Financial Services | Basic Materials |
| Industry | Financial - Credit Services | Chemicals - Specialty |
| CEO | Stephen Joseph Squeri | Sanjiv Lamba |
| Price | 328.13 USD | 475.58 USD |
| Market Cap | 229.88 billion USD | 223.87 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.25 | 0.98 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | June 1, 1972 | June 17, 1992 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AXP and LIN 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AXP
34.05%
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 34.05%
- Q3
- 18.70%
- Median
- 10.57%
- Q1
- 3.55%
- Min
- -12.12%
In the upper quartile for the Financial - Credit Services industry, AXP’s Return on Equity of 34.05% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
LIN
17.23%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 34.45%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- 7.65%
- Q1
- 2.96%
- Min
- -12.04%
In the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, LIN’s Return on Equity of 17.23% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
AXP
8.40%
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 68.11%
- Q3
- 32.26%
- Median
- 9.52%
- Q1
- 3.37%
- Min
- -7.03%
Return on Invested Capital is often not a primary measure of capital efficiency in the Financial - Credit Services industry.
LIN
8.94%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 20.22%
- Q3
- 10.99%
- Median
- 5.25%
- Q1
- 3.06%
- Min
- -8.62%
LIN’s Return on Invested Capital of 8.94% is in line with the norm for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
AXP
13.64%
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 39.42%
- Q3
- 20.10%
- Median
- 12.91%
- Q1
- 5.82%
- Min
- -14.80%
AXP’s Net Profit Margin of 13.64% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Financial - Credit Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
LIN
20.02%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 23.23%
- Q3
- 10.64%
- Median
- 5.14%
- Q1
- 0.64%
- Min
- -8.93%
A Net Profit Margin of 20.02% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
AXP
17.36%
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 77.26%
- Q3
- 42.86%
- Median
- 17.99%
- Q1
- 10.82%
- Min
- -14.94%
AXP’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.36% is around the midpoint for the Financial - Credit Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
LIN
26.42%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 26.42%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 10.07%
- Q1
- 4.82%
- Min
- -7.44%
An Operating Profit Margin of 26.42% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.05% | 17.23% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.64% | 7.99% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 8.40% | 8.94% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.64% | 20.02% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.36% | 26.42% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 82.37% | 42.45% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AXP
0.32
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 8.15
- Q3
- 4.39
- Median
- 2.62
- Q1
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.15
For the Financial - Credit Services industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
LIN
0.94
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.95
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 2.04
- Q1
- 1.60
- Min
- 0.77
LIN’s Current Ratio of 0.94 falls into the lower quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AXP
1.69
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 4.69
- Q3
- 2.55
- Median
- 1.20
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.00
AXP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.69 is typical for the Financial - Credit Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
LIN
0.63
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 1.10
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.01
LIN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.63 is typical for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AXP
1.59
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 17.48
- Q3
- 7.42
- Median
- 1.59
- Q1
- 0.38
- Min
- -7.77
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Financial - Credit Services industry.
LIN
34.75
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 13.69
- Q3
- 9.06
- Median
- 5.24
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -3.09
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 34.75, LIN demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 0.32 | 0.94 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.32 | 0.80 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 1.69 | 0.63 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.19 | 0.29 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 0.03 | 1.48 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.59 | 34.75 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AXP and LIN. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AXP
0.93%
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 14.68%
- Q3
- 2.97%
- Median
- 1.03%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AXP’s Dividend Yield of 0.93% is consistent with its peers in the Financial - Credit Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
LIN
1.22%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 9.19%
- Q3
- 2.44%
- Median
- 1.46%
- Q1
- 0.25%
- Min
- 0.00%
LIN’s Dividend Yield of 1.22% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals - Specialty industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AXP
20.01%
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 169.58%
- Q3
- 38.15%
- Median
- 18.30%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AXP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 20.01% is within the typical range for the Financial - Credit Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
LIN
40.75%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 163.70%
- Q3
- 57.04%
- Median
- 30.02%
- Q1
- 12.51%
- Min
- 0.00%
LIN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 40.75% is within the typical range for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.93% | 1.22% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 20.01% | 40.75% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AXP
22.38
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 42.04
- Q3
- 25.88
- Median
- 12.28
- Q1
- 9.55
- Min
- 3.09
AXP’s P/E Ratio of 22.38 is within the middle range for the Financial - Credit Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
LIN
34.05
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 56.68
- Q3
- 33.75
- Median
- 23.45
- Q1
- 16.09
- Min
- 7.50
A P/E Ratio of 34.05 places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AXP
2.10
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 2.76
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 0.82
- Q1
- 0.51
- Min
- 0.06
A Forward PEG Ratio of 2.10 places AXP in the upper quartile for the Financial - Credit Services industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
LIN
4.93
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 6.58
- Q3
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 0.96
- Min
- 0.16
A Forward PEG Ratio of 4.93 places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AXP
3.05
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 6.24
- Q3
- 3.02
- Median
- 1.54
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.32
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Financial - Credit Services industry.
LIN
6.78
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.76
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.89
- Min
- 0.16
With a P/S Ratio of 6.78, LIN trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AXP
7.37
Financial - Credit Services Industry
- Max
- 3.58
- Q3
- 2.84
- Median
- 1.28
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.07
At 7.37, AXP’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Financial - Credit Services 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.
LIN
5.92
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 6.73
- Q3
- 3.78
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.35
LIN’s P/B Ratio of 5.92 is in the upper tier for the Chemicals - Specialty 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 22.38 | 34.05 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 2.10 | 4.93 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 3.05 | 6.78 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 7.37 | 5.92 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 20.31 | 45.58 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 15.56 | 19.26 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 3.06 | 7.34 |