American Express Company (AXP) vs Morgan Stanley (MS)
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 July 29, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AXP
American Express Company
$331.50Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
MS
Morgan Stanley
$203.19Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — AXP vs MS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yAXP +3777.7%MS +3541.6%AXP compounded faster
AXP MS
AXP vs MS: by the numbers
- •MS is the larger company ($320.49B vs $226.19B market cap).
- •MS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.23 vs 28.15 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MS converts more revenue to profit (15.99% vs 10.77% net margin).
- •MS grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.41% vs 14.35% CAGR).
- •MS pays the higher dividend yield (1.89% vs 1.01%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 28.15 | 17.23 |
| Forward P/E | 19.06 | 16.45 |
| P/S ratio | 2.95 | 2.66 |
| P/B ratio | 0.74 | 2.95 |
| PEG ratio | 2.46 | 0.60 |
Profitability
| Metric | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 83.11% | 59.72% |
| Operating margin | 17.14% | 20.70% |
| Net margin | 10.77% | 15.99% |
| ROE | 2.71% | 17.70% |
| ROIC | 8.29% | 1.69% |
Dividends
| Metric | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.01% | 1.89% |
| Payout ratio | 22.13% | 38.68% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AXP | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 14.35% | 18.41% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 32.53% | 9.56% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 16.05% | 20.91% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AXP or MS?
- MS has the lower trailing P/E: AXP trades at 28.15 and MS at 17.23. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AXP or MS?
- Over the past five years, MS grew revenue faster — AXP at a 14.35% CAGR versus MS at 18.41%.
- Does AXP or MS pay a bigger dividend?
- AXP yields 1.01% and MS yields 1.89% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AXP or MS more profitable?
- MS runs the higher net margin — AXP at 10.77% versus MS at 15.99%.
- How have AXP and MS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AXP delivered 19.55% and MS delivered 25.44% annualized total return. 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 July 29, 2026.