American Express Company (AXP) vs PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL)
A side-by-side comparison of American Express Company and PayPal Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AXP
American Express Company
$324.69Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
PYPL
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
$53.72Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AXP vs PYPL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yAXP +465.3% (+18.9%/yr)PYPL +36.1% (+3.1%/yr)AXP compounded faster over this window
AXP PYPL
AXP vs PYPL: by the numbers
- •AXP is the larger company ($219.27B vs $45.96B market cap).
- •PYPL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.16 vs 19.64 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PYPL converts more revenue to profit (14.36% vs 13.61% net margin).
- •AXP grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.23% vs 7.43% CAGR).
- •AXP pays the higher dividend yield (1.10% vs 0.81%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AXP | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.64 | 10.16 |
| Forward P/E | 18.40 | 9.97 |
| P/S ratio | 2.61 | 1.35 |
| P/B ratio | 6.40 | 2.32 |
Profitability
| Metric | AXP | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 84.35% | 45.75% |
| Operating margin | 17.14% | 18.78% |
| Net margin | 13.61% | 14.36% |
| ROE | 33.39% | 24.73% |
Dividends
| Metric | AXP | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.10% | 0.81% |
| Payout ratio | 21.42% | 7.94% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AXP | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 16.23% | 7.43% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 32.53% | 8.81% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 16.52% | -28.73% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AXP or PYPL?
- PYPL has the lower trailing P/E: AXP trades at 19.64 and PYPL at 10.16. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AXP or PYPL?
- Over the past five years, AXP grew revenue faster — AXP at a 16.23% CAGR versus PYPL at 7.43%.
- Does AXP or PYPL pay a bigger dividend?
- AXP yields 1.10% and PYPL yields 0.81% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AXP or PYPL more profitable?
- PYPL runs the higher net margin — AXP at 13.61% versus PYPL at 14.36%.
- How have AXP and PYPL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AXP delivered 18.90% and PYPL delivered 3.33% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Express P/E ratioPayPal P/E ratioAmerican Express dividend yieldPayPal dividend yieldAmerican Express ROEPayPal ROEAmerican Express operating marginPayPal operating marginAmerican Express revenue growthPayPal revenue growth
American Express & PayPal 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 September 10, 2026.