American Express Company (AXP) vs Mastercard Incorporated (MA)

AXP leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of American Express Company and Mastercard Incorporated 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 MA

growth of $100 · last 20y
AXP +501.7%MA +10551.7%MA compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $10020102014201820222026$602$10,652
AXP MA

AXP vs MA: by the numbers

  • MA is the larger company ($432.94B vs $222.06B market cap).
  • AXP trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.30 vs 28.36 P/E).
  • MA converts more revenue to profit (45.88% vs 13.61% net margin).
  • AXP grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.35% vs 17.05% CAGR).
  • AXP pays the higher dividend yield (1.05% vs 0.67%).

Which is better, AXP or MA?

Metric tally: AXP 9 · MA 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAXP(lower P/E)
IncomeAXP(higher dividend yield)
QualityMA(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAXPMA
P/E ratio20.3028.36
Forward P/E16.1521.48
P/S ratio2.7112.89
P/B ratio6.5765.09
PEG ratio2.431.81
EV / EBITDA12.4921.13
FCF yield6.41%4.05%

Profitability

MetricAXPMA
Gross margin83.50%82.96%
Operating margin20.70%59.40%
Net margin13.61%45.88%
ROE33.00%231.63%
ROIC8.29%48.63%

Dividends

MetricAXPMA
Dividend yield1.05%0.67%
Payout ratio22.13%19.70%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAXPMA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)17.35%17.05%
EPS CAGR (5Y)32.53%20.93%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.67%23.43%
Total return CAGR (5Y)16.01%6.65%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AXP or MA?
It depends on your goal. value: AXP (lower P/E); income: AXP (higher dividend yield); quality: MA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AXP leads 9 to 6.
Is AXP or MA cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AXP is cheaper: AXP trades at a 20.30 P/E and MA at 28.36.
Which has grown faster, AXP or MA?
Over the past five years, AXP grew revenue faster — AXP at a 17.35% CAGR versus MA at 17.05%.
Does AXP or MA pay a bigger dividend?
AXP yields 1.05% and MA yields 0.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AXP or MA more profitable?
MA runs the higher net margin — AXP at 13.61% versus MA at 45.88%.
Which has been the better investment, AXP or MA?
Over the past 10-year, AXP delivered the higher annualized total return — AXP at 19.13% versus MA at 18.49%. 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.