American Express (AXP) vs. Mastercard (MA)
This page compares American Express (AXP) with Mastercard (MA) using historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
American Express (AXP) and Mastercard (MA) both fall under the Financial Services industry group, but AXP is classified in Consumer Finance while MA is classified in Financial Services.
| Symbol | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | American Express Company | Mastercard Incorporated |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Finance | Financial Services |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Consumer Finance | Transaction & Payment Processing Services |
| Market Capitalization | 211.05 billion USD | 441.53 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 1, 1972 | May 25, 2006 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.10% | 1.85% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -10.22% | -4.26% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -16.44% | -10.50% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 3.34% | -14.79% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.25% | -0.64% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -16.39% | -12.47% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.25M | 3.75M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.56M | 3.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.77% | 25.68% |
| Beta | 1.09 | 0.76 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Mastercard (MA) leads with Return on Equity (TTM) of 206.14%, above its industry benchmark range, while American Express (AXP) at 33.95% also ranks strongly in the top quartile.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
33.95%
- Max
- 47.95%
- Q3
- 23.50%
- Median
- 14.09%
- Q1
- 6.10%
- Min
- -18.72%
MA
Financial Services industry group
206.14%
- Max
- 47.95%
- Q3
- 23.50%
- Median
- 14.09%
- Q1
- 6.10%
- Min
- -18.72%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Mastercard (MA) at 45.88% ranks in the top quartile for Net Profit Margin (TTM), ahead of American Express (AXP) at 14.11%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
14.11%
- Max
- 53.82%
- Q3
- 25.02%
- Median
- 14.32%
- Q1
- 5.67%
- Min
- -19.79%
MA
Financial Services industry group
45.88%
- Max
- 53.82%
- Q3
- 25.02%
- Median
- 14.32%
- Q1
- 5.67%
- Min
- -19.79%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Mastercard (MA) at 57.91% ranks in the top quartile for Operating Profit Margin (TTM), ahead of American Express (AXP) at 17.91%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
17.91%
- Max
- 73.39%
- Q3
- 36.76%
- Median
- 20.24%
- Q1
- 11.35%
- Min
- -19.92%
MA
Financial Services industry group
57.91%
- Max
- 73.39%
- Q3
- 36.76%
- Median
- 20.24%
- Q1
- 11.35%
- Min
- -19.92%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 33.95% | 206.14% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.73% | 29.47% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.11% | 45.88% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.91% | 57.91% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 61.03% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Current Ratio (MRQ) isn’t a meaningful figure for either American Express (AXP) in Financial Services or Mastercard (MA) in Financial Services under our convention.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
0.31
- Max
- 4.77
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.19
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.00
MA
Financial Services industry group
0.98
- Max
- 4.77
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.19
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.00
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) isn’t a meaningful figure for either American Express (AXP) in Financial Services or Mastercard (MA) in Financial Services under our convention.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
6.42
- Max
- 8.59
- Q3
- 3.66
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 0.23
- Min
- 0.00
MA
Financial Services industry group
2.82
- Max
- 8.59
- Q3
- 3.66
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 0.23
- Min
- 0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) isn’t a meaningful figure for either American Express (AXP) in Financial Services or Mastercard (MA) in Financial Services under our convention.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
33.37
- Max
- 33.37
- Q3
- 20.09
- Median
- 5.74
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- -3.76
MA
Financial Services industry group
32.07
- Max
- 33.37
- Q3
- 20.09
- Median
- 5.74
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- -3.76
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.31 | 0.98 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.31 | 0.98 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 6.42 | 2.82 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 33.37 | 32.07 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 10.33% | 15.83% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 9.38% | 16.75% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 12.60% | 13.82% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 15.96% | 16.47% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 17.66% | 21.14% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 11.79% | 21.21% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 15.92% | 17.34% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 31.96% | 20.99% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both American Express (AXP) at 1.11% and Mastercard (MA) at 0.63% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
1.11%
- Max
- 9.39%
- Q3
- 3.82%
- Median
- 1.44%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MA
Financial Services industry group
0.63%
- Max
- 9.39%
- Q3
- 3.82%
- Median
- 1.44%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both American Express (AXP) at 20.90% and Mastercard (MA) at 18.23% maintain Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) around their industries’ median — balanced dividend policy on both sides, returning cash while leaving part of reported earnings available for reinvestment or balance-sheet flexibility.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
20.90%
- Max
- 119.94%
- Q3
- 55.73%
- Median
- 23.88%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MA
Financial Services industry group
18.23%
- Max
- 119.94%
- Q3
- 55.73%
- Median
- 23.88%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.11% | 0.63% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 20.90% | 18.23% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
American Express (AXP) at 18.90 carries typical industry Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM), while Mastercard (MA) at 28.73 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — MA carries a higher trailing earnings multiple relative to peers.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
18.90
- Max
- 54.13
- Q3
- 28.05
- Median
- 16.19
- Q1
- 10.16
- Min
- 1.17
MA
Financial Services industry group
28.73
- Max
- 54.13
- Q3
- 28.05
- Median
- 16.19
- Q1
- 10.16
- Min
- 1.17
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
American Express (AXP) at 2.67 hovers around the typical industry Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), while Mastercard (MA) at 13.18 sits above its industry benchmark range — an elevated trailing revenue multiple for MA relative to peers.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
2.67
- Max
- 9.20
- Q3
- 4.55
- Median
- 2.46
- Q1
- 1.35
- Min
- 0.02
MA
Financial Services industry group
13.18
- Max
- 9.20
- Q3
- 4.55
- Median
- 2.46
- Q1
- 1.35
- Min
- 0.02
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
American Express (AXP) at 6.07 sits in the higher-multiple quartile for Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), but Mastercard (MA) at 66.32 is higher still, above its industry benchmark range — both carry elevated book-value multiples relative to peers, with MA higher.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
6.07
- Max
- 9.08
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.15
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.20
MA
Financial Services industry group
66.32
- Max
- 9.08
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.15
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.20
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 18.90 | 28.73 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.67 | 13.18 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.07 | 66.32 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 14.80 | 26.20 |