American Express Company (AXP) vs Morgan Stanley (MS)
AXP leads on 7 of 13 compared metrics, though MS is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of American Express Company and Morgan Stanley across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AXP
American Express Company
$325.44Financial Services
MS
Morgan Stanley
$214.04Financial Services
Total return — AXP vs MS
growth of $100 · last 30yAXP +2361.7%MS +1578.7%AXP compounded faster
AXP MS
AXP vs MS: by the numbers
- •MS is the larger company ($337.60B vs $222.06B market cap).
- •MS trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.46 vs 20.30 P/E).
- •MS converts more revenue to profit (15.13% vs 13.61% net margin).
- •MS grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.47% vs 17.35% CAGR).
- •MS pays the higher dividend yield (1.87% vs 1.05%).
Which is better, AXP or MS?
Metric tally: AXP 7 · MS 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMS(lower P/E)
IncomeMS(higher dividend yield)
QualityAXP(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.30 | 19.46● |
| Forward P/E | 16.15● | 18.00 |
| P/S ratio | 2.71● | 2.84 |
| P/B ratio | 6.57 | 2.98● |
| PEG ratio | 2.43 | 0.58● |
Profitability
| Metric | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 83.50%● | 57.99% |
| Operating margin | 20.70%● | 19.48% |
| Net margin | 13.61% | 15.13%● |
| ROE | 33.00%● | 15.91% |
| ROIC | 8.29%● | 1.69% |
Dividends
| Metric | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.05% | 1.87%● |
| Payout ratio | 22.13% | 38.68% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 17.35% | 17.47% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 32.53%● | 9.56% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 16.01% | 22.22%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AXP or MS?
- It depends on your goal. value: MS (lower P/E); income: MS (higher dividend yield); quality: AXP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AXP leads 7 to 6.
- Is AXP or MS cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MS is cheaper: AXP trades at a 20.30 P/E and MS at 19.46.
- Which has grown faster, AXP or MS?
- Over the past five years, MS grew revenue faster — AXP at a 17.35% CAGR versus MS at 17.47%.
- Does AXP or MS pay a bigger dividend?
- AXP yields 1.05% and MS yields 1.87% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AXP or MS more profitable?
- MS runs the higher net margin — AXP at 13.61% versus MS at 15.13%.
- Which has been the better investment, AXP or MS?
- Over the past 10-year, MS delivered the higher annualized total return — AXP at 19.13% versus MS at 27.20%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Express P/E ratioMorgan Stanley P/E ratioAmerican Express dividend yieldMorgan Stanley dividend yieldAmerican Express ROEMorgan Stanley ROEAmerican Express operating marginMorgan Stanley operating marginAmerican Express revenue growthMorgan Stanley revenue growthAmerican Express free cash flowMorgan Stanley free cash flow
American Express & Morgan Stanley 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 June 14, 2026.