American Express (AXP) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS)
This page compares American Express (AXP) with Morgan Stanley (MS) using historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, 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.
| Symbol | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | American Express Company | Morgan Stanley |
| 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 | Investment Banking & Brokerage |
| Market Capitalization | 211.05 billion USD | 299.02 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 1, 1972 | February 23, 1993 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.10% | -2.19% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -10.22% | 10.52% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -16.44% | 13.86% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 3.34% | 44.89% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.25% | -0.53% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -16.39% | 6.79% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.25M | 5.39M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.56M | 6.99M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.77% | 30.50% |
| Beta | 1.09 | 1.22 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
American Express (AXP) at 33.95% ranks in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM), ahead of Morgan Stanley (MS) at 16.32%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
33.95%
- Max
- 47.95%
- Q3
- 23.50%
- Median
- 14.09%
- Q1
- 6.10%
- Min
- -18.72%
MS
Financial Services industry group
16.32%
- Max
- 47.95%
- Q3
- 23.50%
- Median
- 14.09%
- Q1
- 6.10%
- Min
- -18.72%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both American Express (AXP) at 14.11% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 14.65% post Net Profit Margin (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on net profitability.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
14.11%
- Max
- 53.82%
- Q3
- 25.02%
- Median
- 14.32%
- Q1
- 5.67%
- Min
- -19.79%
MS
Financial Services industry group
14.65%
- Max
- 53.82%
- Q3
- 25.02%
- Median
- 14.32%
- Q1
- 5.67%
- Min
- -19.79%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both American Express (AXP) at 17.91% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 18.94% post Operating Profit Margin (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on operating profitability.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
17.91%
- Max
- 73.39%
- Q3
- 36.76%
- Median
- 20.24%
- Q1
- 11.35%
- Min
- -19.92%
MS
Financial Services industry group
18.94%
- Max
- 73.39%
- Q3
- 36.76%
- Median
- 20.24%
- Q1
- 11.35%
- Min
- -19.92%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 33.95% | 16.32% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.73% | 1.27% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.11% | 14.65% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.91% | 18.94% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 61.03% | 55.61% |
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
0.31
- Max
- 4.77
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.19
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.00
MS
Financial Services industry group
0.31
- 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 Morgan Stanley (MS) 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
MS
Financial Services industry group
8.41
- 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 Morgan Stanley (MS) 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
MS
Financial Services industry group
1.25
- Max
- 33.37
- Q3
- 20.09
- Median
- 5.74
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- -3.76
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.31 | 0.31 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.31 | 0.31 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 6.42 | 8.41 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 33.37 | 1.25 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 10.33% | 13.78% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 9.38% | 12.28% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 12.60% | 21.98% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 15.96% | 17.86% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 17.66% | 30.98% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 11.79% | 28.42% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 15.92% | 18.05% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 31.96% | 9.36% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both American Express (AXP) at 1.11% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 2.20% 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%
MS
Financial Services industry group
2.20%
- 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 Morgan Stanley (MS) at 36.91% 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%
MS
Financial Services industry group
36.91%
- Max
- 119.94%
- Q3
- 55.73%
- Median
- 23.88%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.11% | 2.20% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 20.90% | 36.91% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both American Express (AXP) at 18.90 and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 16.74 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
18.90
- Max
- 54.13
- Q3
- 28.05
- Median
- 16.19
- Q1
- 10.16
- Min
- 1.17
MS
Financial Services industry group
16.74
- Max
- 54.13
- Q3
- 28.05
- Median
- 16.19
- Q1
- 10.16
- Min
- 1.17
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Both American Express (AXP) at 2.67 and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 2.45 post Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing revenue multiple.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
2.67
- Max
- 9.20
- Q3
- 4.55
- Median
- 2.46
- Q1
- 1.35
- Min
- 0.02
MS
Financial Services industry group
2.45
- Max
- 9.20
- Q3
- 4.55
- Median
- 2.46
- Q1
- 1.35
- Min
- 0.02
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Morgan Stanley (MS) at 2.28 carries typical industry Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while American Express (AXP) at 6.07 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — AXP carries a higher book-value multiple relative to peers.
AXP
Financial Services industry group
6.07
- Max
- 9.08
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.15
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.20
MS
Financial Services industry group
2.28
- Max
- 9.08
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.15
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.20
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 18.90 | 16.74 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.67 | 2.45 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.07 | 2.28 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 14.80 | 13.79 |