American Express (AXP) vs Mastercard (MA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Mastercard (MA) 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 +60.1% for MA. Mastercard is the larger company by market cap ($499.38 billion vs $205.46 billion), about 2.4 times the size.
On valuation, American Express trades at a lower forward P/E (15.1x vs 24.8x for Mastercard). American Express offers the higher dividend yield (1.16% vs 0.59%). Mastercard converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 45.6% 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 | AXP | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $304.25 | $570.06 |
| Market cap | $205.46B | $499.38B |
| 1-day change | -0.10% | +0.61% |
| YTD return | -17.76% | -0.14% |
| 1-year return | -7.23% | -1.69% |
| 5-year return | +73.06% | +60.13% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.48 | 31.36 |
| Forward P/E | 15.09 | 24.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $16.46 | $18.18 |
| Dividend yield | 1.16% | 0.59% |
| Annual dividend | $3.54 | $3.37 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $41.30B | $32.79B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.39% | +16.42% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $10.83B | $14.97B |
| Operating margin | — | 57.63% |
| Net margin | 26.23% | 45.65% |
| 52-week high | $387.49 | $601.23 |
| 52-week low | $290.97 | $464.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.48% | -5.18% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.06% | +16.95% |
| Average volume | 2.90M | 2.85M |
| Shares outstanding | 675.31M | 869.46M |
| Employees | 76,800 | 39,800 |
| Sector | Finance | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Finance: Consumer Services | Business 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
- Mastercard is about 2.4 times larger than American Express by market value ($499.38B vs $205.46B).
- Mastercard trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.4x vs 18.5x trailing P/E).
- Mastercard is more profitable, keeping 45.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 26.2 cents for American Express.
- Mastercard grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+16.42% vs +6.39%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: American Express in Finance and Mastercard in Consumer Discretionary.
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 Mastercard
MA stock →Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers products and services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; consumer bill payment services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.
Consumer Discretionary · Business Services · 39,800 employees
AXP vs MA FAQ
Which is bigger, American Express or Mastercard?
Mastercard (MA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $499.38B compared with $205.46B for American Express (AXP).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AXP or MA?
MA returned -1.69% 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, AXP or MA?
AXP has the lower trailing P/E at 18.5, versus 31.4 for MA. 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 Mastercard?
American Express has the higher yield at 1.16%, compared with 0.59% for Mastercard.
Are American Express and Mastercard in the same industry?
No. American Express is in the Finance sector, while Mastercard is in Consumer Discretionary.