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

Updated on August 27, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	AXP	LLY
Company Name	American Express Company	Eli Lilly and Company
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Health Care
GICS Industry	Consumer Finance	Pharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization	219.76 billion USD	623.33 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 1, 1972	June 1, 1972
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	LLY
5-Day Price Return	3.17%	-1.12%
13-Week Price Return	9.97%	-2.78%
26-Week Price Return	1.90%	-19.81%
52-Week Price Return	27.46%	-27.13%
Month-to-Date Return	5.51%	-6.05%
Year-to-Date Return	6.41%	-9.93%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.26M	5.47M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.68M	4.51M
3-Month Volatility	22.00%	40.35%
Beta	1.32	0.45

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.

LLY

88.36%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 38.59%
Q3: 19.84%
Median: 11.90%
Q1: 5.63%
Min: -9.96%

LLY’s Return on Equity of 88.36% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

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

LLY

25.91%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 34.51%
Q3: 17.73%
Median: 12.12%
Q1: 5.99%
Min: -7.73%

A Net Profit Margin of 25.91% places LLY in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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

LLY

32.37%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 41.53%
Q3: 23.00%
Median: 16.24%
Q1: 9.24%
Min: -6.94%

An Operating Profit Margin of 32.37% places LLY in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	LLY
Return on Equity (TTM)	32.87%	88.36%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.62%	16.02%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.55%	25.91%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	17.15%	32.37%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	61.37%	82.64%

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.

LLY

1.28

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 4.49
Q3: 2.77
Median: 1.74
Q1: 1.26
Min: 0.11

LLY’s Current Ratio of 1.28 aligns with the median group of the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

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

LLY

2.18

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 2.44
Q3: 1.07
Median: 0.42
Q1: 0.11
Min: 0.00

LLY’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Pharmaceuticals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.18. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

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

LLY

20.36

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 103.95
Q3: 44.18
Median: 9.83
Q1: 2.82
Min: -42.71

LLY’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.36 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	LLY
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	1.28
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	0.53
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	6.47	2.18
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	33.37	20.36

Growth

Revenue Growth

AXP vs. LLY: 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. LLY: 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.

LLY

0.77%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 6.98%
Q3: 3.32%
Median: 2.13%
Q1: 0.14%
Min: 0.00%

LLY’s Dividend Yield of 0.77% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

LLY

36.46%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 165.20%
Q3: 90.59%
Median: 49.13%
Q1: 28.91%
Min: 0.00%

LLY’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.46% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	LLY
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.99%	0.77%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	20.97%	36.46%

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.

LLY

47.48

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 42.51
Q3: 26.88
Median: 19.11
Q1: 15.12
Min: 0.00

At 47.48, LLY’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

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

LLY

12.30

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 7.55
Q3: 4.54
Median: 2.11
Q1: 1.52
Min: 0.00

With a P/S Ratio of 12.30, LLY trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Pharmaceuticals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

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

LLY

40.43

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 9.78
Q3: 4.96
Median: 2.23
Q1: 1.46
Min: 0.60

At 40.43, LLY’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Pharmaceuticals 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. LLY: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Finance and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	LLY
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	21.11	47.48
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.86	12.30
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	6.87	40.43
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	16.03	326.03