Compare StocksAXP vs KEY

American Express Company (AXP) vs KeyCorp (KEY)

AXP
American Express Company
$294.93
VS
KEY
KeyCorp
$19.28

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.
KEY

    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.
    KEY
    • Gross margin of 0.0% is low, suggesting a competitive or commodity-like market with limited pricing power.
    • KeyCorp scores only 19/100 on the Economic Moat Score, suggesting limited durable competitive advantages.
    • Share count has increased by 18% over the past 4 years, diluting existing shareholders.

    Key Valuation Metrics

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    AXP
    KEY
    Valuation
    N/A
    Free Cash Flow
    N/A
    N/A
    FCF Yield
    N/A
    19.19
    Trailing P/E
    12.68
    14.64
    Forward P/E
    9.08
    Quality & Moat
    9.49%
    ROIC
    15.33%
    31.97%
    ROE
    N/A
    63.47%
    Gross Margin
    0.00%
    1.16
    PEG Ratio
    N/A
    Balance Sheet Safety
    1.91
    Debt / Equity
    N/A
    N/A
    Interest Coverage
    N/A
    N/A
    Net Debt / EBITDA
    N/A
    1.29%
    Dividend Yield
    4.25%
    AXP: 1Ties: 1KEY: 4
    AXPKEY

    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.

    KEY

    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
    KEY
    N/A
    Net losses over 3 years — test not applicable
    Company had negative cumulative retained earnings
    Σ Retained
    $-257.0M
    Δ Market Cap
    +$6.50B
    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
    KEY
    65.2% Margin of Safety
    Price is 65.2% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $19.28
    Fair Value: $55.44
    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.

    KEY

    Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

    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.
    KEY
    19/100
    No Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    No durable moat detected, though reinvestment efficiency shows some competitive positioning. The business lacks consistent evidence of sustainable advantages.

    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.
    KEY
    -1.51
    Likely 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.
    KEY
    Insiders 0.3%Institutions 90.0%Retail & Other 9.7%
    No. of Institutional Holders1,202
    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
    KEY
    0
    Buys (3M)
    4
    Buys (12M)
    Total value (12M): $151,792
    ALLARD JACQUELINE
    Director
    $2,525
    @ $14.03 · 2025-04-22
    TOBIN RICHARD J.
    Director
    $10,380
    @ $13.84 · 2025-04-21
    KHANNA SOMESH
    Director
    $1,387
    @ $13.87 · 2025-04-21
    RAMANI MOHIT
    Officer
    $137,500
    @ $13.75 · 2025-04-21
    BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
    Beneficial Owner of more than 10% of a Class of Security
    $892,500
    @ $17.85 · 2025-02-05
    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
    KEY
    3
    Sells (3M)
    9
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $8.17M
    PAINE ANDREW J III
    Officer
    $1.53M
    @ $23.23 · 2026-02-06
    MAGO ANGELA G
    Officer
    $1.35M
    @ $21.55 · 2026-01-29
    EVANS KATRINA M.
    Officer
    $710,789
    @ $21.74 · 2026-01-22
    PAINE ANDREW J III
    Officer
    $867,143
    @ $19.29 · 2025-09-09
    BRADY AMY G
    Chief Technology Officer
    $880,500
    @ $17.61 · 2025-08-08
    EVANS KATRINA M.
    Officer
    $317,390
    @ $18.67 · 2025-07-24
    GORMAN CHRISTOPHER M
    Chief Executive Officer
    $2.12M
    @ $18.86 · 2025-07-23
    BRADY AMY G
    Chief Technology Officer
    $305,710
    @ $16.09 · 2025-06-12
    HIGHSMITH CARLTON LEE
    Director
    $83,000
    @ $16.60 · 2025-05-13
    KIDIK ALLYSON M
    Officer
    $17,973
    @ $17.69 · 2025-02-14
    GORMAN CHRISTOPHER M
    Chief Executive Officer
    $1.01M
    @ $17.46 · 2025-02-13
    MAGO ANGELA G
    Officer
    $294,065
    @ $19.59 · 2024-11-06
    PAINE ANDREW J III
    Officer
    $1.26M
    @ $19.03 · 2024-11-06
    HIGHSMITH CARLTON LEE
    Director
    $154,260
    @ $17.14 · 2024-11-05
    BRADY AMY G
    Chief Technology Officer
    $719,692
    @ $16.92 · 2024-08-29
    HIGHSMITH CARLTON LEE
    Director
    $162,100
    @ $16.21 · 2024-08-16
    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.
    KEY
    FearGreed
    😐Neutral(47/100)

    "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)
    KEY
    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 (47)
    View AXP Full AnalysisView KEY Full Analysis
    American Express Company (AXP) vs KeyCorp (KEY) Stock Comparison | SafetyMargin.io