Debt-to-Equity Ratio
Higher than 96% of Financial Services sector peers
Updated 21h ago
Sector Performance
96th percentileAXP
1.78x
Sector Median
0.41x
Sector Avg
0.70x
Deep Analysis
The debt-to-equity ratio measures how much a company uses borrowed money relative to shareholder equity.
American Express currently has 1.78x, meaning for every dollar of equity, it carries $1.78 in debt. This is far above the Financial Services sector median of 0.41x, placing AXP in the 96th percentile among peers. The metric has been perfectly stable over the last eight quarters, with no change year-over-year or quarter-over-quarter. A high level combined with zero movement implies that the company’s leverage is a structural feature, not a recent shift, which reduces near-term financial risk but also offers no opportunity for deleveraging. This stable, elevated ratio supports the NEUTRAL verdict—it confirms steady capital structure without signaling improvement or deterioration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Debt-to-Equity Ratio tell investors about AXP?
Shows how much a company is financing its operations through debt vs shareholder funds. High D/E can amplify returns — and losses.
How is the Debt-to-Equity Ratio calculated?
Debt-to-Equity Ratio is calculated as: Total Debt / Shareholders' Equity.
How does AXP's Debt-to-Equity Ratio compare to its sector?
AXP's Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.78x compares to a Financial Services sector median of 0.41x, placing it in the 96th percentile.
Who are AXP's closest peers by Debt-to-Equity Ratio?
The closest Financial Services peers by Debt-to-Equity Ratio include: RJF (0.43x), AIZ (0.38x), SPGI (0.44x), COF (0.45x), AFL (0.35x).
The Formula
Total Debt / Shareholders' Equity
Why It Matters
Shows how much a company is financing its operations through debt vs shareholder funds. High D/E can amplify returns — and losses.
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1.78x
Sector Median
0.41x
Sector Avg
0.70x
How AXP's Debt-to-Equity Ratio compares to sector peers.
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Not financial advice. Research tool only. Data may be delayed.