AXP vs. WMT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AXP and WMT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AXP | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | American Express Company | Walmart Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Finance | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 214.61 billion USD | 818.55 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 1, 1972 | August 25, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AXP and WMT 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.22% | 1.71% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.04% | 4.54% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 0.29% | -2.36% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 21.39% | 39.13% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.04% | 4.68% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 3.91% | 13.53% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.33M | 14.69M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.74M | 16.64M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.06% | 16.57% |
| Beta | 1.32 | 0.67 |
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.
WMT
21.67%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 34.20%
- Q3
- 21.61%
- Median
- 13.70%
- Q1
- 5.18%
- Min
- -9.87%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, WMT’s Return on Equity of 21.67% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
WMT
2.75%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.16%
- Q3
- 3.87%
- Median
- 2.44%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -0.70%
WMT’s Net Profit Margin of 2.75% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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.
WMT
4.33%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.29%
- Median
- 4.03%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -1.85%
WMT’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.33% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.87% | 21.67% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.62% | 7.23% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.55% | 2.75% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.15% | 4.33% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 61.37% | 24.88% |
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.
WMT
0.78
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.52
WMT’s Current Ratio of 0.78 falls into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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.
WMT
0.63
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
WMT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.63 is typical for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
WMT
12.72
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 14.71
- Median
- 6.25
- Q1
- 3.16
- Min
- -10.70
WMT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.72 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.71 | 0.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.71 | 0.18 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 6.47 | 0.63 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 33.37 | 12.72 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
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.
WMT
0.87%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.63%
- Q3
- 3.17%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WMT’s Dividend Yield of 0.87% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
WMT
36.65%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 163.46%
- Q3
- 90.34%
- Median
- 52.13%
- Q1
- 20.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
WMT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.65% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.99% | 0.87% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 20.97% | 36.65% |
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.
WMT
42.33
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 49.92
- Q3
- 31.34
- Median
- 23.38
- Q1
- 17.55
- Min
- 6.19
A P/E Ratio of 42.33 places WMT in the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
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.
WMT
1.16
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.06
WMT’s P/S Ratio of 1.16 is in the upper echelon for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.
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.
WMT
9.29
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.74
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.88
- Q1
- 1.77
- Min
- 0.46
WMT’s P/B Ratio of 9.29 is in the upper tier for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AXP | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.11 | 42.33 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.86 | 1.16 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.87 | 9.29 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 16.03 | 58.95 |