Seek Returns

American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS)

This page compares American Express (AXP) with Morgan Stanley (MS) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.

Company Profile

American Express (AXP) and Morgan Stanley (MS) both fall under the Financial Services industry group, but AXP is classified in Consumer Finance while MS is classified in Capital Markets.

SymbolAXPMS
NameAmerican Express CompanyMorgan Stanley
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorFinancialsFinancials
GICS Industry GroupFinancial ServicesFinancial Services
GICS IndustryConsumer FinanceCapital Markets
GICS Sub-IndustryConsumer FinanceInvestment Banking & Brokerage
Market Capitalization217.24 billion USD331.62 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJune 1, 1972February 23, 1993
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

Both American Express (AXP) at 19.89 and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 19.24 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.

AXP

Financial Services industry group

19.89

Max
43.80
Q3
25.29
Median
14.39
Q1
8.82
Min
0.57

MS

Financial Services industry group

19.24

Max
43.80
Q3
25.29
Median
14.39
Q1
8.82
Min
0.57
American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Financial Services industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

On Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), both American Express (AXP) at 3.16 and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 4.53 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

AXP

Financial Services industry group

3.16

Max
9.18
Q3
4.75
Median
2.81
Q1
1.45
Min
-1.07

MS

Financial Services industry group

4.53

Max
9.18
Q3
4.75
Median
2.81
Q1
1.45
Min
-1.07
American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Financial Services industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

Morgan Stanley (MS) at 3.18 is valued about in line with its industry on Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while American Express (AXP) at 6.39 carries a peer-beating premium to book — AXP is pricier on assets.

AXP

Financial Services industry group

6.39

Max
7.05
Q3
3.45
Median
1.59
Q1
0.91
Min
0.00

MS

Financial Services industry group

3.18

Max
7.05
Q3
3.45
Median
1.59
Q1
0.91
Min
0.00
American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Financial Services industry group benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolAXPMS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)19.8919.24
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)3.164.53
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)6.393.18
Free Cash Flow Yield----

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

American Express (AXP) at 34.42% ranks in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM), ahead of Morgan Stanley (MS) at 16.39%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.

AXP

Financial Services industry group

34.42%

Max
42.17%
Q3
21.38%
Median
12.17%
Q1
4.99%
Min
-18.74%

MS

Financial Services industry group

16.39%

Max
42.17%
Q3
21.38%
Median
12.17%
Q1
4.99%
Min
-18.74%
American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Financial Services industry group benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

Both American Express (AXP) at 16.31% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 24.75% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

AXP

Financial Services industry group

16.31%

Max
66.55%
Q3
30.38%
Median
16.50%
Q1
4.42%
Min
-26.88%

MS

Financial Services industry group

24.75%

Max
66.55%
Q3
30.38%
Median
16.50%
Q1
4.42%
Min
-26.88%
American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Financial Services industry group benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

Both American Express (AXP) at 21.25% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 40.62% 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
49.68%
Median
27.03%
Q1
12.12%
Min
-36.26%

MS

Financial Services industry group

40.62%

Max
95.95%
Q3
49.68%
Median
27.03%
Q1
12.12%
Min
-36.26%
American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Financial Services industry group benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolAXPMS
Return on Equity (TTM)34.42%16.39%
Return on Assets (TTM)3.80%1.27%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)16.31%24.75%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)21.25%40.62%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)62.76%87.39%

Growth

Revenue Growth

American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolAXPMS
1-Year Revenue Growth9.52%14.48%
3-Year Revenue CAGR10.97%9.52%

EPS Growth

American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolAXPMS
1-Year EPS Growth9.78%28.43%
3-Year EPS CAGR16.01%18.41%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Current Ratio (MRQ) isn’t a meaningful figure for either American Express (AXP) in Financial Services or Morgan Stanley (MS) in Financial Services under our convention.

AXP

Financial Services industry group

1.57

Max
8.56
Q3
4.17
Median
1.79
Q1
1.11
Min
0.05

MS

Financial Services industry group

1.96

Max
8.56
Q3
4.17
Median
1.79
Q1
1.11
Min
0.05
American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Financial Services industry group benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) isn’t a meaningful figure for either American Express (AXP) in Financial Services or Morgan Stanley (MS) in Financial Services under our convention.

AXP

Financial Services industry group

1.78

Max
6.26
Q3
2.78
Median
1.19
Q1
0.34
Min
0.00

MS

Financial Services industry group

5.02

Max
6.26
Q3
2.78
Median
1.19
Q1
0.34
Min
0.00
American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Financial Services industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolAXPMS
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.571.96
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.785.02
Net Debt / EBITDA----

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both American Express (AXP) at 1.19% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 1.90% 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

1.19%

Max
18.54%
Q3
7.66%
Median
1.92%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MS

Financial Services industry group

1.90%

Max
18.54%
Q3
7.66%
Median
1.92%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Financial Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both American Express (AXP) at 21.29% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 35.55% 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

21.29%

Max
228.57%
Q3
95.64%
Median
25.37%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MS

Financial Services industry group

35.55%

Max
228.57%
Q3
95.64%
Median
25.37%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Financial Services industry group benchmark.

Dividends at a Glance

SymbolAXPMS
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.19%1.90%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)21.29%35.55%

Performance & Risk

AXP
MS
Loading price history…
American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Performance & Risk at a Glance

SymbolAXPMS
1-Year Return4.33%64.89%
1-Year Volatility26.32%25.67%
Beta1.061.22
3-Month Avg. Volume3.23M6.18M