Compare StocksAXP vs BKNG

American Express Company (AXP) vs Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG)

AXP
American Express Company
$294.93
VS
BKNG
Booking Holdings Inc.
$4294.29

Rewards

AXP
  • Gross margin of 63.5% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • Return on equity has consistently exceeded 20% over 4 years, indicating efficient use of shareholder capital.
  • Each dollar of retained earnings has created $6.18 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
BKNG
  • Booking Holdings Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • Gross margin of 87.4% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • Booking Holdings Inc. scores 90/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.

Risks

AXP
  • Altman Z-Score of 0.93 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
  • 7 insider sales totaling $36.4M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
  • Free cash flow has declined at a 5.9% CAGR over the past 4 years — a concerning trend.
BKNG
  • FCF yield of 6.6% suggests reasonable valuation assuming continued moderate growth.
  • 6 insider sales totaling $12.4M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.

Key Valuation Metrics

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AXP
BKNG
Valuation
N/A
Free Cash Flow
$9.09B
N/A
FCF Yield
6.56%
19.19
Trailing P/E
25.91
14.64
Forward P/E
13.71
Quality & Moat
9.49%
ROIC
35.54%
31.97%
ROE
N/A
63.47%
Gross Margin
87.36%
1.16
PEG Ratio
0.67
Balance Sheet Safety
1.91
Debt / Equity
N/A
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
N/A
Net Debt / EBITDA
0.22
1.29%
Dividend Yield
0.92%
AXP: 2Ties: 1BKNG: 4
AXPBKNG

Historical Fundamentals

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AXP

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

BKNG

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

$1 Retained Earnings Test

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AXP
$6.18
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$23.29B
Δ Market Cap
+$144.01B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
BKNG
$7.18
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$13.15B
Δ Market Cap
+$94.50B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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AXP
38.6% Margin of Safety
Price is 38.6% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $294.93
Fair Value: $480.21
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
BKNG
29.3% Margin of Safety
Price is 29.3% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $4294.29
Fair Value: $6074.65
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued

Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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AXP

Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

BKNG

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $4294?

+11.3%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +4.2%

The market implies +11.3% Owner Earnings growth, below historical trends — potential opportunity.

Standard FCF implies a more demanding +4.2%, reflecting heavy growth investment expected to generate future returns.

Economic Moat Score

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AXP
40/100
Narrow Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Narrow moat with revenue predictability as the key competitive advantage. Improving margin stability would strengthen the moat.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
BKNG
90/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. ROIC Consistency is the standout factor.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

Forensic Accounting

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AXP
-2.51
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
BKNG
-3.00
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Ownership Breakdown

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AXP
Insiders 22.2%Institutions 64.8%Retail & Other 12.9%
No. of Institutional Holders3,749
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
BKNG
Insiders 0.2%Institutions 96.9%Retail & Other 2.9%
No. of Institutional Holders2,930
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

Insider Buying Activity

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AXP
0
Buys (3M)
1
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $4,054
JOABAR RAYMOND D
Officer
$4,054
@ $176.26 · 2025-04-09
ANGELAKIS MICHAEL J
Director
$998,593
@ $269.89 · 2025-03-07
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
BKNG
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

Insider Selling Activity

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AXP
7
Sells (3M)
20
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $152.65M
LIEBERMAN QUINN JESSICA
Officer
$909,661
@ $300.02 · 2026-03-06
JOABAR RAYMOND D
Officer
$4.77M
@ $340.67 · 2026-02-19
GROSFIELD HOWARD M
Officer
$2.82M
@ $346.73 · 2026-02-12
RADHAKRISHNAN RAVIKUMAR S
Chief Technology Officer
$5.35M
@ $356.58 · 2026-02-09
SEEGER LAUREEN E
Officer
$4.60M
@ $360.99 · 2026-02-09
MARRS ANNA
Officer
$9.60M
@ $350.01 · 2026-02-05
PICKETT DENISE
Officer
$8.35M
@ $356.91 · 2026-02-05
JOABAR RAYMOND D
Officer
$538,902
@ $384.93 · 2025-12-12
RUTLEDGE ELIZABETH
Officer
$18.01M
@ $360.21 · 2025-10-31
TABISH DOUGLAS J
Officer
$894,359
@ $355.61 · 2025-10-23
PICKETT DENISE
Officer
$1.75M
@ $350.73 · 2025-10-22
SQUERI STEPHEN J
Chief Executive Officer
$37.03M
@ $329.86 · 2025-09-04
HERENA MONIQUE
Officer
$2.83M
@ $325.88 · 2025-09-03
BUCKMINSTER DOUGLAS E
Officer
$7.67M
@ $326.37 · 2025-09-02
SEEGER LAUREEN E
Officer
$23.37M
@ $296.90 · 2025-08-06
MCNEAL GLENDA G
Officer
$15.47M
@ $309.50 · 2025-07-29
MARRS ANNA
Officer
$1.71M
@ $310.77 · 2025-07-29
MARQUEZ RAFAEL
Officer
$3.56M
@ $296.93 · 2025-05-20
GROSFIELD HOWARD M
Officer
$2.60M
@ $275.50 · 2025-05-06
MCNEAL GLENDA G
Officer
$799,009
@ $264.66 · 2025-04-29
MARRS ANNA
President
$6.32M
@ $287.88 · 2025-03-04
LIEBERMAN QUINN JESSICA
Officer
$897,590
@ $296.43 · 2025-02-26
MCNEAL GLENDA G
Officer
$2.29M
@ $309.96 · 2025-02-11
SQUERI STEPHEN J
Chief Executive Officer
$16.24M
@ $319.45 · 2025-02-06
JOABAR RAYMOND D
Officer
$3.53M
@ $317.01 · 2025-02-05
RADHAKRISHNAN RAVIKUMAR S
Chief Technology Officer
$3.03M
@ $319.17 · 2025-02-05
PICKETT DENISE
Officer
$7.25M
@ $318.69 · 2025-02-05
JOABAR RAYMOND D
Officer
$4.77M
@ $313.94 · 2025-01-28
LE CAILLEC CHRISTOPHE
Chief Financial Officer
$1.82M
@ $303.48 · 2024-11-27
SQUERI STEPHEN J
Chief Executive Officer
$48.90M
@ $286.57 · 2024-11-07
HERENA MONIQUE
Officer
$374,010
@ $287.70 · 2024-11-07
BUCKMINSTER DOUGLAS E
Officer
$3.55M
@ $270.98 · 2024-10-29
WILLIAMS ANRE D.
Officer
$21.05M
@ $270.26 · 2024-10-22
PICKETT DENISE
Officer
$666,213
@ $240.68 · 2024-05-22
SKYLER JENNIFER
Officer
$3.58M
@ $241.73 · 2024-05-10
LIEBERMAN QUINN JESSICA
Officer
$729,770
@ $232.41 · 2024-05-06
MARRS ANNA
Officer
$829,501
@ $230.93 · 2024-05-03
BUCKMINSTER DOUGLAS E
Officer
$27.27M
@ $232.44 · 2024-05-02
SQUERI STEPHEN J
Chief Executive Officer
$9.28M
@ $238.63 · 2024-04-23
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
BKNG
6
Sells (3M)
24
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $58.63M
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$2.87M
@ $4292.10 · 2026-03-16
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$2.29M
@ $4092.82 · 2026-02-17
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$1.88M
@ $4149.75 · 2026-02-17
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$4.94M
@ $5181.34 · 2026-01-15
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$312,486
@ $5208.10 · 2026-01-15
WITTMAN VANESSA AMES
Director
$77,867
@ $5191.13 · 2026-01-15
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$3.09M
@ $5414.53 · 2025-12-15
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$2.42M
@ $5464.94 · 2025-12-15
WITTMAN VANESSA AMES
Director
$80,430
@ $5362.00 · 2025-12-15
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$2.14M
@ $4820.35 · 2025-11-17
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$2.00M
@ $5007.69 · 2025-11-17
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$860,582
@ $5062.25 · 2025-11-17
WITTMAN VANESSA AMES
Director
$75,450
@ $5030.00 · 2025-11-17
PISANO PAULO
Officer
$1.00M
@ $5000.00 · 2025-11-07
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$3.21M
@ $5141.53 · 2025-10-15
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$2.04M
@ $5254.04 · 2025-10-15
WITTMAN VANESSA AMES
Director
$79,380
@ $5292.00 · 2025-10-15
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$5.59M
@ $5516.92 · 2025-09-15
WITTMAN VANESSA AMES
Director
$82,500
@ $5500.00 · 2025-09-15
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$5.55M
@ $5476.89 · 2025-08-15
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$5.77M
@ $5695.00 · 2025-07-15
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$5.43M
@ $5356.07 · 2025-06-16
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$5.31M
@ $5242.35 · 2025-05-15
PISANO PAULO
Officer
$1.54M
@ $5142.41 · 2025-05-01
PISANO PAULO
Officer
$4.19M
@ $4930.40 · 2025-03-04
PISANO PAULO
Officer
$878,170
@ $5165.71 · 2024-11-22
PISANO PAULO
Officer
$388,760
@ $3887.60 · 2024-08-27
D'EMIC SUSANA
Officer
$3.10M
@ $3614.70 · 2024-08-15
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$3.05M
@ $4067.65 · 2024-07-15
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$2.93M
@ $3900.50 · 2024-06-17
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$2.83M
@ $3776.51 · 2024-05-15
PISANO PAULO
Officer
$1.89M
@ $3603.66 · 2024-05-08
FOGEL GLENN D
Chief Executive Officer
$2.65M
@ $3534.10 · 2024-04-15
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

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AXP
FearGreed
😐Neutral(42/100)

"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
BKNG
FearGreed
😐Neutral(42/100)

"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

⚖️ Buffett Signal

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AXP
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (42)
BKNG
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (42)
View AXP Full AnalysisView BKNG Full Analysis