American Express (AXP) vs Capital One Financial (COF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
American Express (AXP) has outperformed Capital One Financial (COF) over the past year, losing 4.9% versus a loss of 8.3%. Over five years, AXP leads with a +75.2% price change compared with +16.3% for COF. American Express is the larger company by market cap ($208.06 billion vs $122.33 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while Capital One Financial is growing revenue faster (+36.6% vs +6.4%).
On valuation, Capital One Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (8.4x vs 15.3x for American Express). Capital One Financial offers the higher dividend yield (1.50% vs 1.15%). American Express converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 26.2% versus 4.6%.
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 | AXP | COF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $308.10 | $199.40 |
| Market cap | $208.06B | $122.33B |
| 1-day change | +1.27% | +1.78% |
| YTD return | -16.72% | -19.17% |
| 1-year return | -4.85% | -8.32% |
| 5-year return | +75.25% | +16.35% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.70 | 12.81 |
| Forward P/E | 15.28 | 8.36 |
| EPS (TTM) | $16.48 | $15.57 |
| Dividend yield | 1.15% | 1.50% |
| Annual dividend | $3.54 | $3.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $41.30B | $53.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.39% | +36.62% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $10.83B | $2.45B |
| Net margin | 26.23% | 4.59% |
| 52-week high | $387.49 | $259.64 |
| 52-week low | $290.97 | $174.24 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.49% | -23.20% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.54% | +28.98% |
| Average volume | 2.89M | 3.62M |
| Shares outstanding | 675.31M | 613.48M |
| Employees | 76,800 | 78,400 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Finance: Consumer Services | Major Banks |
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 trades at a higher earnings multiple (18.7x vs 12.8x trailing P/E).
- American Express is more profitable, keeping 26.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.6 cents for Capital One Financial.
- Capital One Financial grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+36.62% vs +6.39%).
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
About Capital One Financial
COF stock →Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One, National Association, which engages in the provision of various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking.
Finance · Major Banks · 78,400 employees
AXP vs COF FAQ
Which is bigger, American Express or Capital One Financial?
American Express (AXP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $208.06B compared with $122.33B for Capital One Financial (COF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AXP or COF?
AXP returned -4.85% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.32% for COF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AXP or COF?
COF has the lower trailing P/E at 12.8, versus 18.7 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, American Express or Capital One Financial?
Capital One Financial has the higher yield at 1.50%, compared with 1.15% for American Express.
Are American Express and Capital One Financial in the same industry?
Both are in the Finance sector, but in different industries: Finance: Consumer Services for American Express and Major Banks for Capital One Financial.