American Express Company (AXP) vs Mastercard Incorporated (MA)
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 July 30, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AXP
American Express Company
$336.88Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 1:39 PM EDT
MA
Mastercard Incorporated
$577.20Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 1:39 PM EDT
Total return — AXP vs MA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 20yAXP +740.5%MA +13438.1%MA compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AXP MA
AXP vs MA: by the numbers
- •MA is the larger company ($510.00B vs $227.50B market cap).
- •AXP trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (27.73 vs 32.60 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MA converts more revenue to profit (45.88% vs 10.77% net margin).
- •MA grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.05% vs 14.35% CAGR).
- •AXP pays the higher dividend yield (1.03% vs 0.58%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 27.73 | 32.60 |
| Forward P/E | 18.77 | 28.68 |
| P/S ratio | 2.90 | 14.82 |
| P/B ratio | 0.73 | 74.84 |
| PEG ratio | 2.46 | 1.83 |
Profitability
| Metric | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 83.11% | 82.96% |
| Operating margin | 17.14% | 59.40% |
| Net margin | 10.77% | 45.88% |
| ROE | 2.71% | 231.63% |
| ROIC | 8.29% | 48.63% |
Dividends
| Metric | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.03% | 0.58% |
| Payout ratio | 22.13% | 19.70% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 14.35% | 17.05% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 32.53% | 20.93% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.43% | 8.33% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AXP or MA?
- AXP has the lower trailing P/E: AXP trades at 27.73 and MA at 32.60. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AXP or MA?
- Over the past five years, MA grew revenue faster — AXP at a 14.35% CAGR versus MA at 17.05%.
- Does AXP or MA pay a bigger dividend?
- AXP yields 1.03% and MA yields 0.58% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AXP or MA more profitable?
- MA runs the higher net margin — AXP at 10.77% versus MA at 45.88%.
- How have AXP and MA total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AXP delivered 19.43% and MA delivered 20.16% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Express P/E ratioMastercard P/E ratioAmerican Express dividend yieldMastercard dividend yieldAmerican Express ROEMastercard ROEAmerican Express operating marginMastercard operating marginAmerican Express revenue growthMastercard revenue growthAmerican Express free cash flowMastercard free cash flow
American Express & Mastercard 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 30, 2026.