Compare Stocks › AXP vs MCO
American Express Company (AXP) vs Moody's Corporation (MCO)
AXP
American Express Company
$319.68
VS
MCO
Moody's Corporation
$455.77
Rewards
AXP
- ★Gross margin of 62.8% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
- ★American Express Company scores 100/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with revenue predictability as the strongest competitive dimension.
- ★Return on equity has consistently exceeded 20% over 4 years, indicating efficient use of shareholder capital.
MCO
- ★Moody's Corporation has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
- ★Gross margin of 74.4% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
- ★Moody's Corporation scores 95/100 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.
MCO
- ⚠FCF yield of 2.8% is below 3%, meaning the market is pricing in substantial future growth to justify the current price.
- ⚠PEG ratio of 4.19 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
- ⚠High leverage (2.36x debt/equity) combined with thin interest coverage (-1.0x) poses financial risk.
Key Valuation Metrics
Learn more →AXP
MCO
Valuation
N/A
Free Cash Flow
$2.27B
N/A
FCF Yield
2.85%
19.96
Trailing P/E
32.67
15.90
Forward P/E
24.55
Quality & Moat
12.37%
ROIC
26.98%
31.48%
ROE
78.24%
62.76%
Gross Margin
74.43%
1.13
PEG Ratio
4.19
Balance Sheet Safety
1.78
Debt / Equity
2.36
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
N/A
Net Debt / EBITDA
1.55
1.19%
Dividend Yield
0.90%
AXP: 5Ties: 1MCO: 3
AXPMCO
Historical Fundamentals
Learn more →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.
MCO
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
Learn more →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
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
MCO
$9.35
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$4.24B
Δ Market Cap
+$39.65B
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
> $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
Learn more →AXP
34.4% Margin of Safety
Price is 34.4% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $319.68
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $487.58
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
MCO
35.4% Overvalued
Price is 35.4% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $455.77
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $336.66
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth
Learn more →AXP
Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.
MCO
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $456?
+15.2%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +16.3%
The market implies +15.2% Owner Earnings growth, below historical trends — potential opportunity.
Standard FCF implies a more demanding +16.3%, reflecting heavy growth investment expected to generate future returns.
Economic Moat Score
Learn more →AXP
100/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Wide moat driven primarily by revenue predictability. Margin Stability is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.
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.
MCO
95/100
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
Learn more →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.
MCO
-2.48
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
Learn more →AXP
Insiders 22.3%Institutions 65.6%Retail & Other 12.1%
No. of Institutional Holders3,664
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.
MCO
Insiders 14.3%Institutions 80.6%Retail & Other 5.2%
No. of Institutional Holders1,957
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
Learn more →AXP
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
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
MCO
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
Learn more →AXP
7
Sells (3M)
19
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $151.85M
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
PICKETT DENISE
Officer
$8.35M
@ $356.91 · 2026-02-05
MARRS ANNA
Officer
$9.60M
@ $350.01 · 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
MARRS ANNA
Officer
$1.71M
@ $310.77 · 2025-07-29
MCNEAL GLENDA G
Officer
$15.47M
@ $309.50 · 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
PICKETT DENISE
Officer
$7.25M
@ $318.69 · 2025-02-05
JOABAR RAYMOND D
Officer
$3.53M
@ $317.01 · 2025-02-05
RADHAKRISHNAN RAVIKUMAR S
Chief Technology Officer
$3.03M
@ $319.17 · 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
HERENA MONIQUE
Officer
$374,010
@ $287.70 · 2024-11-07
SQUERI STEPHEN J
Chief Executive Officer
$48.90M
@ $286.57 · 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
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
MCO
8
Sells (3M)
31
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $16.24M
STEELE RICHARD G
General Counsel
$69,168
@ $437.77 · 2026-04-01
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$642,209
@ $437.77 · 2026-04-01
WEST MICHAEL L
Officer
$2.01M
@ $473.72 · 2026-03-04
HEULAND NOEMIE CLEMENCE
Chief Financial Officer
$46,587
@ $465.87 · 2026-03-04
PHILLIPS JASON D
Officer
$157,437
@ $472.78 · 2026-03-04
STEELE RICHARD G
General Counsel
$171,266
@ $456.71 · 2026-03-03
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$2.38M
@ $456.71 · 2026-03-03
WEST MICHAEL L
Officer
$1.58M
@ $474.10 · 2026-02-26
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$592,428
@ $507.65 · 2026-02-03
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$590,241
@ $505.78 · 2026-01-05
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$280,525
@ $487.87 · 2025-12-03
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$287,765
@ $486.09 · 2025-12-01
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$558,935
@ $478.95 · 2025-11-03
STEELE RICHARD G
General Counsel
$12,841
@ $493.88 · 2025-10-28
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$269,669
@ $493.90 · 2025-10-28
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$199,652
@ $481.09 · 2025-10-15
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$197,880
@ $477.97 · 2025-10-01
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$212,750
@ $512.65 · 2025-09-15
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$208,878
@ $503.32 · 2025-09-02
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$216,402
@ $521.45 · 2025-08-15
TULENKO STEPHEN T
Officer
$155,688
@ $518.96 · 2025-08-04
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$211,729
@ $510.19 · 2025-08-01
TULENKO STEPHEN T
Officer
$1.08M
@ $511.30 · 2025-07-30
HEULAND NOEMIE CLEMENCE
Chief Financial Officer
$456,109
@ $508.48 · 2025-07-29
STEELE RICHARD G
General Counsel
$741,360
@ $508.83 · 2025-07-29
WEST MICHAEL L
Officer
$1.89M
@ $511.16 · 2025-07-29
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$208,911
@ $503.40 · 2025-07-15
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$206,296
@ $497.10 · 2025-07-01
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$197,818
@ $476.67 · 2025-06-16
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$196,855
@ $474.35 · 2025-06-02
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$198,806
@ $479.05 · 2025-05-15
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$187,045
@ $450.71 · 2025-05-01
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$181,687
@ $437.80 · 2025-04-15
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$192,178
@ $463.08 · 2025-04-01
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$184,438
@ $444.43 · 2025-03-17
TULENKO STEPHEN T
Officer
$2.43M
@ $483.19 · 2025-03-05
STEELE RICHARD G
General Counsel
$136,614
@ $494.98 · 2025-03-04
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$1.48M
@ $493.90 · 2025-03-04
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$141,905
@ $505.00 · 2025-03-03
TULENKO STEPHEN T
Officer
$1.74M
@ $500.03 · 2025-02-26
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$146,738
@ $522.20 · 2025-02-18
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$138,932
@ $494.42 · 2025-02-03
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$133,087
@ $473.62 · 2025-01-15
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$133,436
@ $474.86 · 2025-01-02
FAUBER ROBERT
Chief Executive Officer
$137,757
@ $490.24 · 2024-12-16
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
Learn more →AXP
😐Neutral(49/100)
"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.
MCO
😐Neutral(53/100)
"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
Learn more →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 (49)
MCO
⚪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 (53)