Mastercard vs American Express
MAMastercard Incorporatedvs
AXPAmerican Express Company- Mastercard: The other big card network. Same toll-collector model as Visa.
- American Express: Premium card network + bank. Charges merchant fees + cardholder fees.
- Over the past five years American Express stock returned +129% versus +52% for Mastercard, in USD. Past performance is not a guide to the future.
- They compete in the same space (Payments), so many investors simply own both through a broad index fund instead of picking a winner.
Shown in USD. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future results.
- Country
- 🇺🇸 United States
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Industry
- Payments, Finance & banks
- Payments, Finance & banks
- 1Y return (USD)
- -2.3%
- +17.0%
- 3Y return (USD)
- +37.6%
- +105.1%
- 5Y return (USD)
- +51.7%
- +129.0%
- Trades in
- USD
- USD
MastercardMAThe other big card network. Same toll-collector model as Visa. Often moves in lockstep.
See full Mastercard details →American ExpressAXPPremium card network + bank. Charges merchant fees + cardholder fees. Buffett favourite.
See full American Express details →
Available on Interactive Brokers
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Frequently asked questions
Which performed better, Mastercard or American Express?
Over the past five years Mastercard stock returned +52% and American Express returned +129% in US dollars, so American Express has been the stronger performer in that window. Past performance says little about the future, which is why the chart on this page lets you check other periods too.
Can I buy both Mastercard and American Express shares?
Yes. Nothing stops you owning both companies, and many investors do exactly that instead of trying to pick the winner. Both are available to investors worldwide through a broker such as Interactive Brokers.
Is it safer to buy an ETF instead?
A broad index fund holds hundreds of companies at once, usually including both of these, so a single bad year at one business barely dents it. Owning individual shares concentrates that risk, which is why many beginners keep single stocks to a small slice of a mostly fund-based portfolio.