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

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

Company Profile

SymbolAXPLIN
Company NameAmerican Express CompanyLinde plc
CountryUnited StatesUnited Kingdom
GICS SectorFinancialsMaterials
GICS IndustryConsumer FinanceChemicals
Market Capitalization219.76 billion USD224.07 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENasdaqGS
Listing DateJune 1, 1972June 17, 1992
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolAXPLIN
5-Day Price Return3.17%-0.43%
13-Week Price Return9.97%4.11%
26-Week Price Return1.90%3.42%
52-Week Price Return27.46%3.50%
Month-to-Date Return5.51%3.82%
Year-to-Date Return6.41%14.14%
10-Day Avg. Volume2.26M1.47M
3-Month Avg. Volume2.68M1.73M
3-Month Volatility22.00%12.80%
Beta1.320.96

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.

LIN

17.46%

Chemicals Industry

Max
26.17%
Q3
13.48%
Median
8.13%
Q1
2.52%
Min
-11.86%

In the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, LIN’s Return on Equity of 17.46% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

AXP vs. LIN: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Chemicals 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.

LIN

20.20%

Chemicals Industry

Max
21.80%
Q3
9.57%
Median
4.44%
Q1
1.14%
Min
-11.30%

A Net Profit Margin of 20.20% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

AXP vs. LIN: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Chemicals 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.

LIN

26.75%

Chemicals Industry

Max
27.33%
Q3
13.97%
Median
8.08%
Q1
4.46%
Min
-8.10%

An Operating Profit Margin of 26.75% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolAXPLIN
Return on Equity (TTM)32.87%17.46%
Return on Assets (TTM)3.62%8.10%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)13.55%20.20%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)17.15%26.75%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)61.37%48.45%

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.

LIN

0.93

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.38
Q3
2.23
Median
1.73
Q1
1.39
Min
0.55

LIN’s Current Ratio of 0.93 falls into the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

AXP vs. LIN: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Finance and Chemicals 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.

LIN

0.67

Chemicals Industry

Max
1.65
Q3
0.94
Median
0.65
Q1
0.41
Min
0.00

LIN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 is typical for the Chemicals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

AXP vs. LIN: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Finance and Chemicals 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.

LIN

33.09

Chemicals Industry

Max
56.43
Q3
26.33
Median
9.38
Q1
3.10
Min
-9.39

LIN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 33.09 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolAXPLIN
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.710.93
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.710.70
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)6.470.67
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)33.3733.09

Growth

Revenue Growth

AXP vs. LIN: 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. LIN: 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.

LIN

1.21%

Chemicals Industry

Max
6.56%
Q3
4.04%
Median
2.47%
Q1
1.45%
Min
0.00%

LIN’s Dividend Yield of 1.21% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

AXP vs. LIN: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Chemicals 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.

LIN

40.71%

Chemicals Industry

Max
181.25%
Q3
95.01%
Median
53.52%
Q1
26.59%
Min
0.00%

LIN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 40.71% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolAXPLIN
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.99%1.21%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)20.97%40.71%

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.

LIN

33.69

Chemicals Industry

Max
42.94
Q3
29.77
Median
20.37
Q1
14.27
Min
6.19

A P/E Ratio of 33.69 places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

AXP vs. LIN: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Chemicals 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.

LIN

6.80

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.36
Q3
2.23
Median
1.01
Q1
0.55
Min
0.16

With a P/S Ratio of 6.80, LIN trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Chemicals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

AXP vs. LIN: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Chemicals 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.

LIN

5.73

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.92
Q3
2.56
Median
1.54
Q1
0.97
Min
0.30

At 5.73, LIN’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Chemicals 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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolAXPLIN
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)21.1133.69
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)2.866.80
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)6.875.73
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)16.0344.62