American Express Company (AXP) vs The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW)

SCHW leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of American Express Company and The Charles Schwab Corporation 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 SCHW

growth of $100 · last 30y
AXP +2356.2%SCHW +2362.2%SCHW compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,456$2,462
AXP SCHW

AXP vs SCHW: by the numbers

  • AXP is the larger company ($222.06B vs $158.44B market cap).
  • SCHW trades at the lower earnings multiple (18.08 vs 20.30 P/E).
  • SCHW converts more revenue to profit (33.26% vs 13.61% net margin).
  • AXP grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.35% vs 14.85% CAGR).
  • SCHW pays the higher dividend yield (1.30% vs 1.05%).

Which is better, AXP or SCHW?

Metric tally: AXP 7 · SCHW 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueSCHW(lower P/E)
GrowthAXP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSCHW(higher dividend yield)
QualitySCHW(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAXPSCHW
P/E ratio20.3018.08
Forward P/E16.1512.44
P/S ratio2.715.63
P/B ratio6.573.24
PEG ratio2.430.36
EV / EBITDA12.4910.90
FCF yield6.41%6.09%

Profitability

MetricAXPSCHW
Gross margin83.50%87.57%
Operating margin20.70%43.04%
Net margin13.61%33.26%
ROE33.00%19.14%
ROIC8.29%9.50%

Dividends

MetricAXPSCHW
Dividend yield1.05%1.30%
Payout ratio22.13%25.21%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAXPSCHW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)17.35%14.85%
EPS CAGR (5Y)32.53%17.05%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.67%8.89%
Total return CAGR (5Y)16.01%5.66%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AXP or SCHW?
It depends on your goal. value: SCHW (lower P/E); growth: AXP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SCHW (higher dividend yield); quality: SCHW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SCHW leads 10 to 7.
Is AXP or SCHW cheaper?
On trailing earnings, SCHW is cheaper: AXP trades at a 20.30 P/E and SCHW at 18.08.
Which has grown faster, AXP or SCHW?
Over the past five years, AXP grew revenue faster — AXP at a 17.35% CAGR versus SCHW at 14.85%.
Does AXP or SCHW pay a bigger dividend?
AXP yields 1.05% and SCHW yields 1.30% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AXP or SCHW more profitable?
SCHW runs the higher net margin — AXP at 13.61% versus SCHW at 33.26%.
Which has been the better investment, AXP or SCHW?
Over the past 10-year, AXP delivered the higher annualized total return — AXP at 19.13% versus SCHW at 13.78%. 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.