American Express vs Mastercard (AXP vs MA)

American Express (AXP) vs Mastercard (MA) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.

American Express (AXP) and Mastercard (MA) compete in financial services and payments. Here are American Express and Mastercard side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy American Express or Mastercard.

American Express vs Mastercard: the figures

American Express and Mastercard figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that American Express or Mastercard figure is not available, and we never estimate it.

3 key differences between American Express and Mastercard

1. Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Mastercard keeps 46.7 as net profit and American Express keeps 16.8.
2. Valuation: Mastercard trades at 35.2x its annual earnings and American Express at 18.7x; the market pays more for each dollar of Mastercard profit, usually because it expects more growth.
3. Volatility: American Express stock moves more (beta 1.08) than Mastercard (beta 0.77); the higher the beta, the more it amplifies market swings.

American Express or Mastercard: which fits your profile

• If you want growth: Mastercard is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
• If you want income (dividends): American Express pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
• If you prefer caution: Mastercard has a less volatile share price, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
• If price is what matters most to you: American Express trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.

Neither American Express nor Mastercard wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.

How American Express and Mastercard make money

American Express (AXP)

American Express issues cards and runs its own payment network. It earns discount fees from merchants on each purchase, annual fees on cards like Platinum and Gold, and interest on balances. Segments are U.S. Consumer Services, the largest, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Full American Express analysis.

Mastercard (MA)

Mastercard runs a payments network linking card-issuing banks, merchants and consumers. It does not lend money; it earns fees on payment volume, processing and cross-border transactions. It reports revenue from its Payment Network, the larger stream, and from Value-Added Services and Solutions such as cybersecurity, data analytics and open banking. Full Mastercard analysis.

Frequently asked questions: American Express vs Mastercard

Is American Express or Mastercard the better stock?

Choosing between American Express and Mastercard depends on what you are looking for. Mastercard is growing faster right now, and American Express trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy American Express or Mastercard: it shows you the differences so you can decide.

Which pays a higher dividend, American Express or Mastercard?

As of November 4, 2026, American Express yields 1.17% and Mastercard yields 0.54%. Also check how much of their profit American Express and Mastercard pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.

Which is more expensive, American Express or Mastercard?

On P/E, Mastercard (35.2x) is more expensive than American Express (18.7x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.

Can I own both American Express and Mastercard?

Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as American Express and Mastercard, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying American Express or Mastercard.

More comparisons with American Express or Mastercard

• American Express vs BlackRock
• American Express vs Visa
• Mastercard vs Visa
• BlackRock vs Mastercard

More companies like American Express and Mastercard: financial services and payments stocks. Educational content about American Express and Mastercard, not investment advice.