American Express Company (AXP) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
A side-by-side comparison of American Express Company and Costco Wholesale Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: AXP is classified in Financial Services; COST is classified in Consumer Defensive. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
AXP
American Express Company
$336.63Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$966.58Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AXP vs COST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yAXP +3657.2%COST +11175.1%COST compounded faster
AXP COST
AXP vs COST: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $229.69B market cap).
- •AXP trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (28.05 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AXP converts more revenue to profit (10.77% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •AXP grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.35% vs 9.48% CAGR).
- •AXP pays the higher dividend yield (1.02% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AXP | COST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 28.05 | 47.87 |
| Forward P/E | 18.99 | 46.33 |
| P/S ratio | 2.94 | 1.44 |
| P/B ratio | 0.74 | 12.62 |
| PEG ratio | 2.46 | 5.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | N/A | 29.89 |
| FCF yield | N/A | 2.08% |
Profitability
| Metric | AXP | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 83.11% | 12.88% |
| Operating margin | 17.14% | 3.82% |
| Net margin | 10.77% | 3.01% |
| ROE | 2.71% | 26.38% |
| ROIC | 8.29% | 19.44% |
Dividends
| Metric | AXP | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.02% | 0.56% |
| Payout ratio | 22.13% | 29.44% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AXP | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 14.35% | 9.48% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 32.53% | 15.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 4.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.82% | 18.31% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AXP or COST?
- AXP has the lower trailing P/E: AXP trades at 28.05 and COST at 47.87. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AXP or COST?
- Over the past five years, AXP grew revenue faster — AXP at a 14.35% CAGR versus COST at 9.48%.
- Does AXP or COST pay a bigger dividend?
- AXP yields 1.02% and COST yields 0.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AXP or COST more profitable?
- AXP runs the higher net margin — AXP at 10.77% versus COST at 3.01%.
- How have AXP and COST total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AXP delivered 19.43% and COST delivered 20.06% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Express P/E ratioCostco Wholesale P/E ratioAmerican Express dividend yieldCostco Wholesale dividend yieldAmerican Express ROECostco Wholesale ROEAmerican Express operating marginCostco Wholesale operating marginAmerican Express revenue growthCostco Wholesale revenue growthAmerican Express free cash flowCostco Wholesale free cash flow
American Express & Costco Wholesale appear in these rankings
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 July 28, 2026.