Compare Stocks › AXP vs WSM
American Express Company (AXP) vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM)
AXP
American Express Company
$319.68
VS
WSM
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
$179.99
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.
WSM
- ★Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
- ★Williams-Sonoma, Inc. scores 83/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
- ★Free cash flow has grown at a 14.7% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
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.
WSM
- ⚠PEG ratio of 2.43 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
- ⚠5 insider sales totaling $13.3M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
Key Valuation Metrics
Learn more →AXP
WSM
Valuation
N/A
Free Cash Flow
$867.59M
N/A
FCF Yield
4.05%
19.96
Trailing P/E
20.36
15.90
Forward P/E
17.75
Quality & Moat
12.37%
ROIC
35.42%
31.48%
ROE
52.26%
62.76%
Gross Margin
46.15%
1.13
PEG Ratio
2.43
Balance Sheet Safety
1.78
Debt / Equity
0.70
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
N/A
Net Debt / EBITDA
0.27
1.19%
Dividend Yield
1.69%
AXP: 3Ties: 2WSM: 4
AXPWSM
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.
WSM
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
WSM
$3.43
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$2.33B
Δ Market Cap
+$8.01B
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
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
WSM
15.5% Margin of Safety
Price is 15.5% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $179.99
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $213.07
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth
Learn more →AXP
Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.
WSM
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $180?
+7.8%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +10.8%
The market implies +7.8% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.
Standard FCF implies a demanding +10.8%, reflecting heavy growth investment.
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.
WSM
83/100
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 5 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.
WSM
-2.63
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.
WSM
Insiders 1.2%Institutions 97.4%Retail & Other 1.4%
No. of Institutional Holders1,319
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
WSM
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
WSM
5
Sells (3M)
16
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $60.25M
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$3.00M
@ $200.00 · 2026-04-17
YEAROUT KARALYN
Officer
$436,366
@ $192.49 · 2026-04-08
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$267,411
@ $188.45 · 2026-04-08
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$5.90M
@ $180.64 · 2026-03-26
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$3.66M
@ $183.04 · 2026-03-16
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$7.26M
@ $207.39 · 2026-01-15
YEAROUT KARALYN
Officer
$157,358
@ $205.16 · 2026-01-14
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$5.39M
@ $179.55 · 2025-11-26
YEAROUT KARALYN
Officer
$695,765
@ $198.79 · 2025-09-24
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$626,951
@ $198.84 · 2025-09-18
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$18.02M
@ $200.17 · 2025-09-15
KING DAVID RANDOLPH
General Counsel
$3.56M
@ $203.60 · 2025-09-08
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$5.05M
@ $168.18 · 2025-07-15
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$675,852
@ $168.96 · 2025-07-01
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$628,448
@ $157.11 · 2025-06-02
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$4.93M
@ $164.33 · 2025-05-29
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$627,134
@ $156.78 · 2025-05-01
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$129,647
@ $141.69 · 2025-04-22
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$6.02M
@ $165.79 · 2025-03-27
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$4.97M
@ $165.78 · 2025-03-27
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$273,603
@ $194.32 · 2025-02-27
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$9.35M
@ $207.76 · 2025-01-21
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$560,562
@ $177.39 · 2024-12-02
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$5.22M
@ $130.49 · 2024-11-15
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$5.81M
@ $145.27 · 2024-09-16
YEAROUT KARALYN
Officer
$1.49M
@ $134.66 · 2024-08-28
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$6.26M
@ $156.45 · 2024-07-15
BHARGAVA MONICA
Officer
$2.66M
@ $298.28 · 2024-06-06
KING DAVID RANDOLPH
General Counsel
$2.88M
@ $287.85 · 2024-05-24
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$6.37M
@ $318.53 · 2024-05-15
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
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.
WSM
😨Fear(40/100)
"Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"
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)
WSM
⚪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: Fear (40)