PayPal Holdings [PYPL] vs American Express [AXP] Detailed Stock Comparison

TLDR: Quick Comparison Summary

Based on 20 vital metrics comparison: PayPal Holdings wins in 6 metrics, American Express wins in 11 metrics, with 0 ties. American Express appears stronger overall.

View Metrics Details

Vital Metrics Comparison

MetricPayPal HoldingsAmerican ExpressBetter
P/E Ratio (TTM)14.3222.83PayPal Holdings
Price-to-Book Ratio3.187.01PayPal Holdings
Debt-to-Equity Ratio60.25187.93PayPal Holdings
PEG Ratio0.70-11.87American Express
EV/EBITDA10.11N/AN/A
Profit Margin (TTM)14.49%15.99%American Express
Operating Margin (TTM)19.29%21.00%American Express
EBITDA Margin (TTM)19.29%21.00%American Express
Return on Equity22.92%32.81%American Express
Return on Assets (TTM)4.61%3.57%PayPal Holdings
Free Cash Flow (TTM)$6.77B$12.14BAmerican Express
Dividend YieldN/A0.99%N/A
1-Year Return-4.58%25.60%American Express
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)1.983.57PayPal Holdings
Enterprise Value$66.07B$229.34BAmerican Express
EV/Revenue Ratio2.053.62PayPal Holdings
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)46.38%N/AN/A
Revenue per Share (TTM)$33$90American Express
Earnings per Share (Diluted)$4.67$14.25American Express
Beta (Stock Volatility)1.441.29American Express
Performance
News Sentiment
Key Stats
Valuation
Financials
Short Interest
Dividends

PayPal Holdings vs American Express Stock Performance Analysis

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Performance Comparison

Short-term Returns

Stock1D1W1M3M6MYTD
PayPal Holdings-0.56%-2.01%-1.59%-10.59%-2.52%-22.38%
American Express-1.22%-0.28%7.29%9.17%24.76%9.01%

Long-term Returns

Stock1Y3Y5Y10Y15Y20Y
PayPal Holdings-4.58%-28.84%-62.01%103.19%92.82%92.82%
American Express25.60%112.50%214.48%328.31%686.32%524.98%

News Based Sentiment: PayPal Holdings vs American Express

PayPal Holdings

News based Sentiment: MIXED

PayPal had a busy September focused on AI integration, expanding financial inclusion, and strategic partnerships. While these initiatives are positive, continued insider selling and a relatively neutral analyst outlook create a mixed investment picture. The upcoming Q3 earnings report will be a key catalyst for determining the company's trajectory.

View PayPal Holdings News Sentiment Analysis

American Express

News based Sentiment: POSITIVE

American Express demonstrated strong financial performance in Q2 and continued expansion of its merchant base and strategic partnerships throughout September. While the Platinum Card refresh introduces a potential risk with the increased fee, the overall narrative remains positive, driven by revenue growth, analyst optimism, and a focus on attracting high-spending customers.

View American Express News Sentiment Analysis

Performance & Financial Health Analysis: PayPal Holdings vs American Express

MetricPYPLAXP
Market Information
Market Cap i$65.01B$226.38B
Market Cap CategoryLarge capMega cap
10 Day Avg. Volume i10,192,1102,609,550
90 Day Avg. Volume i9,889,4832,406,207
Last Close$66.89$325.31
52 Week Range$55.85 - $93.66$220.43 - $332.46
% from 52W High-28.58%-2.15%
All-Time High$310.16 (Jul 26, 2021)$332.46 (Sep 05, 2025)
% from All-Time High-78.43%-2.15%
Growth Metrics
Quarterly Revenue Growth0.05%0.09%
Quarterly Earnings Growth0.12%-0.04%
Financial Health
Profit Margin (TTM) i0.14%0.16%
Operating Margin (TTM) i0.19%0.21%
Return on Equity (TTM) i0.23%0.33%
Debt to Equity (MRQ) i60.25187.93
Cash & Liquidity
Book Value per Share (MRQ)$21.04$46.42
Cash per Share (MRQ)$10.48$83.01
Operating Cash Flow (TTM) i$6.07B$13.09B
Levered Free Cash Flow (TTM) i$1.01B$10.00B
Dividends
Last 12-Month Dividend Yield iN/A0.99%
Last 12-Month Dividend iN/A$2.92

Valuation & Enterprise Metrics Analysis: PayPal Holdings vs American Express

MetricPYPLAXP
Price Ratios
P/E Ratio (TTM) i14.3222.83
Forward P/E i13.6821.52
PEG Ratio i0.70-11.87
Price to Sales (TTM) i1.983.57
Price to Book (MRQ) i3.187.01
Market Capitalization
Market Capitalization i$65.01B$226.38B
Enterprise Value i$66.07B$229.34B
Enterprise Value Metrics
Enterprise to Revenue i2.053.62
Enterprise to EBITDA i10.11N/A
Risk & Other Metrics
Beta i1.441.29
Book Value per Share (MRQ) i$21.04$46.42

Financial Statements Comparison: PayPal Holdings vs American Express

Financial Metrics

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Revenue

EBITDA

Shareholders Equity

Operating Margin

Free Cash Flow

Long Term Debt

Profit Margin

Current Ratio

Operating Cash Flow

Income Statement (MRQ)

Metric (MRQ)PYPLAXP
Revenue/Sales i$7.79B$17.86B
Cost of Goods Sold i$4.08BN/A
Gross Profit i$3.72BN/A
Research & Development i$731.00MN/A
Operating Income (EBIT) i$1.60BN/A
EBITDA i$1.97BN/A
Pre-Tax Income i$1.60B$3.55B
Income Tax i$316.00M$665.00M
Net Income (Profit) i$1.29B$2.89B

Balance Sheet & Liquidity Metrics (MRQ)

Metric (MRQ)PYPLAXP
Cash & Equivalents i$7.45B$52.41B
Total Current Assets i$60.61BN/A
Total Current Liabilities i$46.62BN/A
Long-Term Debt i$11.42B$51.24B
Total Shareholders Equity i$20.25B$31.20B
Retained Earnings i$28.65B$23.39B
Property, Plant & Equipment iN/AN/A

Cash Flow Statement Comparison (MRQ)

Metric (MRQ)PYPLAXP
Operating Cash Flow i$1.24B$3.61B
Capital Expenditures i$-194.00M$-430.00M
Free Cash Flow i$964.00M$4.33B
Debt Repayment i$0$-3.53B
Common Stock Repurchase i$-1.50B$-1.21B

Short Interest & Institutional Ownership Analysis

MetricPYPLAXP
Shares Short i30.97M10.58M
Short Ratio i2.654.48
Short % of Float i0.03%0.02%
Average Daily Volume (10 Day) i10,192,1102,609,550
Average Daily Volume (90 Day) i9,889,4832,406,207
Shares Outstanding i993.00M702.00M
Float Shares i952.19M542.70M
% Held by Insiders i0.00%0.22%
% Held by Institutions i0.80%0.65%

Dividend Analysis & Yield Comparison: PayPal Holdings vs American Express

MetricPYPLAXP
Last 12-Month Dividend iN/A$2.92
Last 12-Month Dividend Yield iN/A0.99%
3-Year Avg Annual Dividend iN/A$2.33
3-Year Avg Dividend Yield iN/A0.32%
3-Year Total Dividends iN/A$6.98
Ex-Dividend DateN/AApr 04, 2025