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

Updated on August 22, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	AXP	PLTR
Company Name	American Express Company	Palantir Technologies Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Consumer Finance	Software
Market Capitalization	214.61 billion USD	370.11 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	June 1, 1972	September 30, 2020
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	PLTR
5-Day Price Return	0.22%	-13.82%
13-Week Price Return	3.04%	23.49%
26-Week Price Return	0.29%	32.31%
52-Week Price Return	21.39%	380.03%
Month-to-Date Return	3.04%	-1.48%
Year-to-Date Return	3.91%	106.28%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.33M	83.99M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.74M	84.29M
3-Month Volatility	22.06%	51.20%
Beta	1.32	2.64

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.

PLTR

14.64%

Software Industry

Max: 59.01%
Q3: 21.98%
Median: 7.15%
Q1: -11.12%
Min: -51.24%

PLTR’s Return on Equity of 14.64% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

AXP vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Software 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.

PLTR

22.18%

Software Industry

Max: 48.14%
Q3: 18.23%
Median: 5.60%
Q1: -9.22%
Min: -49.36%

A Net Profit Margin of 22.18% places PLTR in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

AXP vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Software 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.

PLTR

16.55%

Software Industry

Max: 57.34%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 7.84%
Q1: -8.72%
Min: -51.37%

PLTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.55% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	PLTR
Return on Equity (TTM)	32.87%	14.64%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.62%	11.65%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.55%	22.18%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	17.15%	16.55%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	61.37%	80.03%

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.

PLTR

6.32

Software Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.31
Median: 1.45
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.24

PLTR’s Current Ratio of 6.32 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

AXP vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Finance and Software 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.

PLTR

0.00

Software Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 0.90
Median: 0.29
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

PLTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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

PLTR

-1.53

Software Industry

Max: 67.02
Q3: 19.86
Median: 0.70
Q1: -12.50
Min: -53.00

PLTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.53. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	PLTR
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	6.32
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	6.19
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	6.47	0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	33.37	-1.53

Growth

Revenue Growth

AXP vs. PLTR: 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. PLTR: 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

0.99%

Consumer Finance Industry

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

AXP’s Dividend Yield of 0.99% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Finance industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

PLTR

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 0.08%
Q3: 0.03%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

PLTR currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

AXP vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Consumer Finance and Software 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.

PLTR

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 1.32%
Q3: 0.53%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

PLTR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	PLTR
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.99%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	20.97%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AXP

21.11

Consumer Finance Industry

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

A P/E Ratio of 21.11 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.

PLTR

485.17

Software Industry

Max: 149.35
Q3: 100.21
Median: 47.97
Q1: 26.77
Min: 11.68

At 485.17, PLTR’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Software industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AXP

2.86

Consumer Finance Industry

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

AXP’s P/S Ratio of 2.86 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.

PLTR

107.63

Software Industry

Max: 25.24
Q3: 13.52
Median: 8.15
Q1: 4.87
Min: 0.98

With a P/S Ratio of 107.63, PLTR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

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

PLTR

54.26

Software Industry

Max: 30.95
Q3: 14.91
Median: 7.75
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.38

At 54.26, PLTR’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Software 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. PLTR: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Consumer Finance and Software industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AXP	PLTR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	21.11	485.17
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.86	107.63
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	6.87	54.26
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	16.03	216.73