AXP vs. GE

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

AXP (American Express Company) and GE (General Electric Company) are both stocks. AXP operates in Credit Services (Financial Services), while GE operates in Specialty Industrial Machinery (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, AXP returned 18.65%/yr vs 9.67%/yr for GE. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

AXP vs. GE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Express Company (AXP) and General Electric Company (GE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AXP achieves a -15.13% return, which is significantly lower than GE's 4.70% return. Over the past 10 years, AXP has outperformed GE with an annualized return of 18.65%, while GE has yielded a comparatively lower 9.67% annualized return.

AXP

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -1.18%
• YTD: -15.13%
• 6M: -13.33%
• 1Y: 4.33%
• 3Y*: 23.52%
• 5Y*: 15.12%
• 10Y*: 18.65%

GE

• 1D: -1.82%
• 1M: 8.38%
• YTD: 4.70%
• 6M: 12.43%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 56.82%
• 5Y*: 36.95%
• 10Y*: 9.67%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AXP vs. GE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AXP American Express Company	-15.13%	25.99%	60.32%	28.67%	-8.52%	36.88%	-1.14%	32.52%	-2.62%	36.22%
GE General Electric Company	4.70%	85.73%	64.83%	95.71%	-10.92%	9.69%	-2.73%	54.00%	-55.39%	-42.92%

Correlation

The correlation between AXP and GE is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 1972	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between AXP and GE has dropped to 0.25 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Fundamentals

Market Cap AXP : $214.24B GE : $337.88B
EPS AXP : $16.23 GE : $8.15
PE Ratio AXP : 19.25 GE : 39.51
PEG Ratio AXP : 1.64 GE : 0.01
PS Ratio AXP : 2.62 GE : 7.08
PB Ratio AXP : 6.30 GE : 18.71
Total Revenue (TTM) AXP : $82.41B GE : $48.35B
Gross Profit (TTM) AXP : $68.81B GE : $16.84B
EBITDA (TTM) AXP : $18.41B GE : $11.01B

Return for Risk

AXP vs. GE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AXP

AXP Risk / Return Rank: 44
AXP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
AXP Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
AXP Omega Ratio Rank: 41
AXP Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
AXP Martin Ratio Rank: 47

GE

GE Risk / Return Rank: 66
GE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
GE Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
GE Omega Ratio Rank: 62
GE Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
GE Martin Ratio Rank: 70

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AXP vs. GE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Express Company (AXP) and General Electric Company (GE). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AXP	GE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.17	0.85	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.40	1.32	-0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.17	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.18	1.28	-1.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.40	3.45	-3.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AXP vs. GE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AXP Sharpe Ratio is 0.17, which is lower than the GE Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AXP and GE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AXP	GE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17	0.85	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	1.20	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.27	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.32	-0.03

Drawdowns

AXP vs. GE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AXP drawdown since its inception was -83.91%, roughly equal to the maximum GE drawdown of -85.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AXP and GE.

Drawdown Indicators

	AXP	GE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.91%	-85.53%	+1.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.90%	-20.85%	-3.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.76%	-21.36%	-7.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.55%	-44.94%	+13.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.64%	-81.18%	+31.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.42%	-6.72%	-11.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.05%	-25.79%	+3.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.96%	7.78%	+3.18%

Volatility

AXP vs. GE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Express Company (AXP) is 6.27%, while General Electric Company (GE) has a volatility of 9.71%. This indicates that AXP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AXP	GE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.27%	9.71%	-3.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.03%	26.76%	-6.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.27%	31.41%	-5.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.49%	31.02%	-1.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.83%	36.33%	-4.50%

Dividends

AXP vs. GE - Dividend Comparison

AXP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, more than GE's 0.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AXP American Express Company	1.09%	0.85%	0.91%	1.24%	1.35%	1.05%	1.42%	1.29%	1.51%	1.32%	1.61%	1.58%
GE General Electric Company	0.48%	0.47%	0.67%	0.25%	0.38%	0.34%	0.37%	4.12%	4.89%	4.81%	2.94%	2.95%

Financials

AXP vs. GE - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between American Express Company and General Electric Company over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

AXP - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Express Company reported a gross profit of 17.66B and revenue of 20.88B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 84.6%.

GE - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, General Electric Company reported a gross profit of 3.85B and revenue of 12.39B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 31.0%.

AXP - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Express Company reported an operating income of 6.60B and revenue of 20.88B, resulting in an operating margin of 31.6%.

GE - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, General Electric Company reported an operating income of 1.70B and revenue of 12.39B, resulting in an operating margin of 13.7%.

AXP - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Express Company reported a net income of 2.97B and revenue of 20.88B, resulting in a net margin of 14.2%.

GE - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, General Electric Company reported a net income of 1.94B and revenue of 12.39B, resulting in a net margin of 15.6%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AXP and GE in my portfolio?

AXP and GE have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AXP or GE?

GE has higher volatility (9.71%) compared to AXP (6.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AXP dropped -83.91% vs GE's -85.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.85 vs 0.17), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.