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

Updated on August 20, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	AXP	MCO
Company Name	American Express Company	Moody's Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Consumer Finance	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	213.55 billion USD	93.47 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 1, 1972	October 31, 1994
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	MCO
5-Day Price Return	4.12%	1.38%
13-Week Price Return	2.66%	7.00%
26-Week Price Return	-4.15%	3.64%
52-Week Price Return	29.45%	13.15%
Month-to-Date Return	2.53%	1.05%
Year-to-Date Return	3.40%	10.09%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.49M	0.74M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.98M	0.78M
3-Month Volatility	24.19%	20.22%
Beta	1.32	1.44

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.

MCO

56.41%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 21.61%
Median: 13.77%
Q1: 8.31%
Min: -4.25%

MCO’s Return on Equity of 56.41% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Capital Markets industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

AXP vs. MCO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Capital Markets 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.

MCO

29.18%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 66.67%
Q3: 35.11%
Median: 23.49%
Q1: 13.63%
Min: -15.18%

MCO’s Net Profit Margin of 29.18% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

AXP vs. MCO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Capital Markets 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.

MCO

40.55%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 86.40%
Q3: 46.46%
Median: 32.80%
Q1: 18.32%
Min: -21.87%

MCO’s Operating Profit Margin of 40.55% is around the midpoint for the Capital Markets industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	MCO
Return on Equity (TTM)	32.87%	56.41%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.62%	13.79%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.55%	29.18%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	17.15%	40.55%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	61.37%	72.78%

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.

MCO

1.75

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.76
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.54
Min: -0.41

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

AXP vs. MCO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Finance and Capital Markets 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.

MCO

1.76

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.62
Q3: 2.84
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.32
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

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

MCO

17.56

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 126.03
Q3: 60.98
Median: 11.77
Q1: 4.95
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	MCO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	1.75
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	1.75
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	6.47	1.76
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	33.37	17.56

Growth

Revenue Growth

AXP vs. MCO: 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. MCO: 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

1.00%

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 8.31%
Q3: 3.93%
Median: 2.51%
Q1: 0.84%
Min: 0.00%

AXP’s Dividend Yield of 1.00% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Finance industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MCO

0.73%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.26%
Q3: 4.86%
Median: 2.78%
Q1: 1.22%
Min: 0.00%

MCO’s Dividend Yield of 0.73% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

AXP vs. MCO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Capital Markets 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.

MCO

31.75%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 200.72%
Q3: 101.92%
Median: 57.97%
Q1: 32.36%
Min: 0.00%

MCO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.75% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	MCO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.00%	0.73%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	20.97%	31.75%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AXP

20.89

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 34.39
Q3: 20.36
Median: 13.05
Q1: 9.29
Min: 4.74

A P/E Ratio of 20.89 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.

MCO

43.72

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 58.89
Q3: 31.00
Median: 18.54
Q1: 12.09
Min: 5.24

A P/E Ratio of 43.72 places MCO in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

AXP vs. MCO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AXP

2.83

Consumer Finance Industry

Max: 4.28
Q3: 2.67
Median: 1.88
Q1: 1.15
Min: 0.55

AXP’s P/S Ratio of 2.83 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.

MCO

12.76

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.49
Q3: 7.41
Median: 4.68
Q1: 2.25
Min: 0.04

MCO’s P/S Ratio of 12.76 is in the upper echelon for the Capital Markets 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.

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

MCO

22.85

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.48
Q3: 4.94
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.21
Min: 0.38

At 22.85, MCO’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Capital Markets 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. MCO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Finance and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	MCO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	20.89	43.72
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.83	12.76
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	6.87	22.85
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	15.86	39.31