American Express Company (AXP) vs Citigroup Inc. (C)

AXP leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though C is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of American Express Company and Citigroup Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — AXP vs C

growth of $100 · last 30y
AXP +2356.2%C +33.6%AXP compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,456$134
AXP C

AXP vs C: by the numbers

  • C is the larger company ($238.49B vs $222.06B market cap).
  • C trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.33 vs 20.30 P/E).
  • AXP converts more revenue to profit (13.61% vs 9.34% net margin).
  • AXP grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.35% vs 15.26% CAGR).
  • C pays the higher dividend yield (1.72% vs 1.05%).

Which is better, AXP or C?

Metric tally: AXP 9 · C 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueC(lower P/E)
GrowthAXP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeC(higher dividend yield)
QualityAXP(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAXPC
P/E ratio20.3017.33
Forward P/E16.1511.19
P/S ratio2.711.45
P/B ratio6.571.18
PEG ratio2.430.75
EV / EBITDA12.4940.38
FCF yield6.41%

Profitability

MetricAXPC
Gross margin83.50%45.48%
Operating margin20.70%12.79%
Net margin13.61%9.34%
ROE33.00%7.58%
ROIC8.29%0.95%

Dividends

MetricAXPC
Dividend yield1.05%1.72%
Payout ratio22.13%33.20%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAXPC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)17.35%15.26%
EPS CAGR (5Y)32.53%8.77%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.67%-5.16%
Total return CAGR (5Y)16.01%16.79%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AXP or C?
It depends on your goal. value: C (lower P/E); growth: AXP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: C (higher dividend yield); quality: AXP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AXP leads 9 to 7.
Is AXP or C cheaper?
On trailing earnings, C is cheaper: AXP trades at a 20.30 P/E and C at 17.33.
Which has grown faster, AXP or C?
Over the past five years, AXP grew revenue faster — AXP at a 17.35% CAGR versus C at 15.26%.
Does AXP or C pay a bigger dividend?
AXP yields 1.05% and C yields 1.72% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AXP or C more profitable?
AXP runs the higher net margin — AXP at 13.61% versus C at 9.34%.
Which has been the better investment, AXP or C?
Over the past 10-year, AXP delivered the higher annualized total return — AXP at 19.13% versus C at 15.70%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.