AXP vs. MCO: American Express vs. Moody's Stock Comparison
This page compares American Express (AXP) with Moody's (MCO) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance at a Glance
| Metric | AXP | MCO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 10.36% | -6.12% |
Risk
Drawdown
Risk at a Glance
| Metric | AXP | MCO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Volatility | 26.51% | 26.45% |
| Beta | 1.05 | 1.34 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.16M | 1.08M |
Company Profile
American Express (AXP) and Moody's (MCO) both fall under the Financial Services industry group, but AXP is classified in Consumer Finance while MCO is classified in Capital Markets.
| Profile Item | AXP | MCO |
|---|---|---|
| Name | American Express Company | Moody's Corporation |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Finance | Capital Markets |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Consumer Finance | Financial Exchanges & Data |
| Market Capitalization | 222.06 billion USD | 78.23 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 1, 1972 | October 31, 1994 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
American Express (AXP) at 20.33 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Moody's (MCO) at 32.15 sits in the richer quartile — MCO needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
20.33
- Max
- 47.33
- Q3
- 25.83
- AXP
- 20.33
- Median
- 14.56
- Q1
- 9.03
- Min
- 0.60
MCO
Financial Services industry group
32.15
- Max
- 47.33
- MCO
- 32.15
- Q3
- 25.83
- Median
- 14.56
- Q1
- 9.03
- Min
- 0.60
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
American Express (AXP) at 3.23 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Moody's (MCO) at 9.94 clears its benchmark range — MCO looks notably rich on sales.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
3.23
- Max
- 9.45
- Q3
- 4.84
- AXP
- 3.23
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 1.48
- Min
- -1.12
MCO
Financial Services industry group
9.94
- MCO
- 9.94
- Max
- 9.45
- Q3
- 4.84
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 1.48
- Min
- -1.12
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Both look rich against book: American Express (AXP) at 6.53 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Moody's (MCO) at 26.13 prices even higher, above its industry range.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
6.53
- Max
- 7.24
- AXP
- 6.53
- Q3
- 3.50
- Median
- 1.63
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.00
MCO
Financial Services industry group
26.13
- MCO
- 26.13
- Max
- 7.24
- Q3
- 3.50
- Median
- 1.63
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.00
Valuation at a Glance
| Metric | AXP | MCO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.33 | 32.15 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.23 | 9.94 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.53 | 26.13 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | -- | -- |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both companies show strong equity returns, but Moody's (MCO) at 71.36% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; American Express (AXP) at 34.42% also sits in the top quartile.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
34.42%
- Max
- 42.17%
- AXP
- 34.42%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 12.18%
- Q1
- 5.01%
- Min
- -18.74%
MCO
Financial Services industry group
71.36%
- MCO
- 71.36%
- Max
- 42.17%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 12.18%
- Q1
- 5.01%
- Min
- -18.74%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Moody's (MCO) at 31.69% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of American Express (AXP) at 16.31%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
16.31%
- Max
- 66.55%
- Q3
- 30.41%
- Median
- 16.58%
- AXP
- 16.31%
- Q1
- 4.49%
- Min
- -26.88%
MCO
Financial Services industry group
31.69%
- Max
- 66.55%
- MCO
- 31.69%
- Q3
- 30.41%
- Median
- 16.58%
- Q1
- 4.49%
- Min
- -26.88%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both American Express (AXP) at 21.25% and Moody's (MCO) at 45.74% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
21.25%
- Max
- 95.95%
- Q3
- 50.01%
- Median
- 27.45%
- AXP
- 21.25%
- Q1
- 12.28%
- Min
- -36.26%
MCO
Financial Services industry group
45.74%
- Max
- 95.95%
- Q3
- 50.01%
- MCO
- 45.74%
- Median
- 27.45%
- Q1
- 12.28%
- Min
- -36.26%
Profitability at a Glance
| Metric | AXP | MCO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.42% | 71.36% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.80% | 14.82% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.31% | 31.69% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.25% | 45.74% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Metric | AXP | MCO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 9.52% | 8.89% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 10.97% | 12.17% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Metric | AXP | MCO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 9.78% | 21.40% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 16.01% | 22.48% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: American Express (AXP) in Financial Services and Moody's (MCO) in Financial Services both report balance sheets without a current/non-current split, so their short-term liquidity is better judged through regulatory and funding measures.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
debt-to-equity ratio is set aside for both: American Express (AXP) in Financial Services and Moody's (MCO) in Financial Services run businesses where balance-sheet leverage is part of the model, so capital-adequacy and funding measures are the better gauges of balance-sheet risk.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Metric | AXP | MCO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both American Express (AXP) at 1.17% and Moody's (MCO) at 0.92% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
1.17%
- Max
- 18.40%
- Q3
- 7.73%
- Median
- 1.93%
- AXP
- 1.17%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MCO
Financial Services industry group
0.92%
- Max
- 18.40%
- Q3
- 7.73%
- Median
- 1.93%
- MCO
- 0.92%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both American Express (AXP) at 21.29% and Moody's (MCO) at 27.62% keep payout ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges — dividend policies that share earnings without consuming too much of them.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
21.29%
- Max
- 228.57%
- Q3
- 95.72%
- Median
- 25.56%
- AXP
- 21.29%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MCO
Financial Services industry group
27.62%
- Max
- 228.57%
- Q3
- 95.72%
- MCO
- 27.62%
- Median
- 25.56%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Metric | AXP | MCO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.17% | 0.92% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 21.29% | 27.62% |