Affirm (AFRM) vs American Express (AXP)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Affirm (AFRM) has outperformed American Express (AXP) over the past year, losing 1.7% versus a loss of 7.2%. Over five years, AXP leads with a +73.1% price change compared with -48.7% for AFRM. American Express is the larger company by market cap ($205.46 billion vs $25.41 billion), about 8.1 times the size, while Affirm is growing revenue faster (+32.2% vs +6.4%).
On valuation, American Express trades at a lower forward P/E (15.1x vs 15.6x for Affirm). American Express pays a dividend yielding 1.16%, while Affirm does not currently pay one. Affirm converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 45.3% versus 26.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AFRM | AXP |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $75.31 | $304.25 |
| Market cap | $25.41B | $205.46B |
| 1-day change | +0.57% | -0.10% |
| YTD return | +1.18% | -17.76% |
| 1-year return | -1.75% | -7.23% |
| 5-year return | -48.67% | +73.06% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.54 | 18.48 |
| Forward P/E | 15.60 | 15.09 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.56 | $16.46 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.16% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $3.54 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.26B | $41.30B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +32.15% | +6.39% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.93B | $10.83B |
| Operating margin | 9.79% | — |
| Net margin | 45.29% | 26.23% |
| 52-week high | $90.44 | $387.49 |
| 52-week low | $42.10 | $290.97 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.73% | -21.48% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +31.01% | +22.06% |
| Average volume | 4.22M | 2.90M |
| Shares outstanding | 296.88M | 675.31M |
| Employees | 2,358 | 76,800 |
| Sector | Financial Services | Finance |
| Industry | Credit Services | Finance: Consumer Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- American Express is about 8.1 times larger than Affirm by market value ($205.46B vs $25.41B).
- American Express trades at a higher earnings multiple (18.5x vs 13.5x trailing P/E).
- American Express offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.16% vs 0.00%).
- Affirm is more profitable, keeping 45.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 26.2 cents for American Express.
- Affirm grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+32.15% vs +6.39%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Affirm in Financial Services and American Express in Finance.
About Affirm
AFRM stock →Affirm Holdings, Inc. operates payment network in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Financial Services · Credit Services · 2,358 employees
About American Express
AXP stock →American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S.
Finance · Finance: Consumer Services · 76,800 employees
AFRM vs AXP FAQ
Which is bigger, Affirm or American Express?
American Express (AXP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $205.46B compared with $25.41B for Affirm (AFRM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AFRM or AXP?
AFRM returned -1.75% over the past 12 months, compared with -7.23% for AXP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AFRM or AXP?
AFRM has the lower trailing P/E at 13.5, versus 18.5 for AXP. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Affirm or American Express?
American Express pays a dividend yielding 1.16%, while Affirm does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Affirm and American Express in the same industry?
No. Affirm is in the Financial Services sector, while American Express is in Finance.