Core Insights - American Express is focusing its marketing efforts on high-end products, particularly the refreshed Platinum card with an annual fee of $895, moving away from no-fee cash back cards [1][2] - This strategy aims to increase overall spending levels among affluent consumers, leading to higher fee revenue from premium cards and lower loan defaults [2] - The shift reflects the "K-shaped" U.S. economy, where wealthy consumers continue to spend while others cut back, with demand for luxury products and experiences accelerating [3] Spending Trends - Spending at luxury retailers increased by 15% in the quarter, while business and first-class airfare purchases rose by 9%, and luxury hotel spending was up by 12% [4] - Overall spending in the airline and lodging sectors grew by 3% and 5%, respectively, indicating that affluent cardmembers are significantly influencing these results [4]

In a week of stock market newsworthiness, the hits keep coming this Friday morning. President Trump’s new Fed Chair has been announced: former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh. We also see a key wholesale inflation report hitting the tape for December, along with Big Oil companies reporting Q4 earnings results.Ahead of the opening bell, the Dow is -250 points, the S&P 500 is -35, the Nasdaq -180 and the small-cap Russell 2000 -30. This is a rather inauspicious start to the trading day, but we’re thus far flat for t ...

Core Viewpoint - American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) is experiencing a mixed outlook among analysts, with a slight decrease in the average price target but an overall upward trend compared to last year, reflecting growing confidence in the company's future prospects [1][2][5]. Price Target Summary - The average price target for AXP decreased from $387.55 to $381 over the last month, indicating tempered optimism among analysts [2]. - Compared to last year's target of $361.96, the current price target shows a clear upward trend, suggesting increased confidence in the company's performance [2][5]. Earnings Expectations - American Express is expected to announce a 16.8% increase in earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter, driven by rising network volumes, discount revenues, and card growth [3]. - Analysts believe these factors will help offset the increasing costs associated with customer engagement [3]. Analyst Concerns - Some analysts, such as Mark DeVries from Barclays, have set a lower price target of $145 for AXP, indicating caution regarding the company's ability to meet earnings expectations [4]. - The mixed signals from analysts highlight the importance of upcoming earnings reports and strategic announcements in shaping future expectations and stock price targets [4][5].

Management also emphasized continued traction with younger customers. Le Caillec said that as of the fourth quarter, Millennials and Gen Z made up the largest share of U.S. consumer spending and remained the fastest-growing cohorts. He cited an average age of 33 for new U.S. Consumer Platinum customers and 29 for new U.S. Consumer Gold customers.Restaurant spending was up 9% again in the quarter, and spend at U.S. Resy restaurants by U.S. consumer customers rose by more than 20%.Retail spending rose 10% in ...

American Express (NYSE:AXP) stock is slipping today, brushing off the company's better-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue and 16% dividend increase, as investors focus on earnings of $3.04 per share that came in just below estimates. At last glance, the shares were down 3.1% at $347.33, dropping below the $350 level, which had been providing support for pullbacks this month. Now trading at its lowest level since Nov. 21, AXP is off 5% since the start of the year. Should these losses hold, it will be the s ...

Core Insights - American Express reported $18.98 billion in revenue for Q4 2025, a 10.5% year-over-year increase, with an EPS of $3.53 compared to $3.04 a year ago [1] - The revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $18.82 billion by 0.84%, while the EPS fell short of the consensus estimate of $3.54 by 0.28% [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Total Card Member loans reached $151.83 billion, surpassing the average estimate of $151.12 billion [4] - Risk-Based Capital Ratios - Basel III - Common Equity Tier 1/Risk Weighted Assets stood at 10.5%, slightly above the average estimate of 10.4% [4] - Commercial Services Card Member loans totaled $30.83 billion, exceeding the average estimate of $30.60 billion [4] - International Card Services loans amounted to $20.83 billion, higher than the average estimate of $19.79 billion [4] - Network volumes were reported at $506.20 billion, above the average estimate of $502.57 billion [4] - Book value per common share was $46.45, compared to the average estimate of $46.17 [4] - U.S. Consumer Services Card Member loans totaled $100.17 billion, slightly below the average estimate of $100.73 billion [4] - Total non-interest revenues reached $14.46 billion, exceeding the average estimate of $14.33 billion [4] - Net Interest Income was reported at $4.52 billion, slightly above the average estimate of $4.51 billion [4] - Non-interest revenues from discount revenue were $9.88 billion, above the average estimate of $9.83 billion [4] - Non-interest revenues from net card fees matched the average estimate at $2.63 billion [4] - Non-interest revenues from service fees and other revenue were $1.95 billion, exceeding the average estimate of $1.89 billion [4] Stock Performance - American Express shares have returned -3.1% over the past month, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite increased by 0.9% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market [3]

NEW YORK (AP) — American Express saw its profits grow 13% in the fourth quarter, as the credit card giant continues to benefit from its well-to-do clientele spending heavily on their cards on everything from luxury goods to restaurants to travel. The New York-based company said Friday it earned a profit of $2.46 billion, or $3.53 a share, compared to a profit of $2.17 billion, or $3.04 a share, in the same period a year earlier. The earnings were roughly in line with analysts' forecasts, according to Fact ...

Financial Performance - American Express reported a record full-year revenue of $72 billion, reflecting a 10% increase [1] - Fourth quarter card member spending rose by approximately 9%, contributing to a 10% growth in earnings per share (EPS) to $15.38 [1] - The company anticipates full-year growth of 9% to 10% and has increased its dividend by 16% [2] Consumer Spending Trends - Retail spending increased by 10%, with luxury retail spending up by 15% [2] - The partnership with Resi has driven a 20% increase in spending [2] - Demand for premium products remains strong, with luxury hotel demand rising by 12% and premium cabin experiences increasing by 9% [2][3] Demographics and Market Focus - Millennials and Gen Z now represent the largest share of consumer spending for American Express, with the average age for new gold cardholders at 29 and platinum cardholders at 33 [3] - The company is focusing on high-end consumers who continue to spend, despite a bifurcated economy [5][6] Credit Card Issuance and Economic Impact - American Express has not discussed issuing credit cards with a 10% cap, as it could negatively impact credit availability for consumers and small businesses [4][7] - Analysts predict that such a cap could reduce earnings for major banks by 5% to 16% [7]

Add another prominent financial figure speaking out against interest rate caps on credit cards. "A 10% credit card cap, what you would see is a reduction in credit cards across the United States," American Express (AXP) CEO Stephen Squeri told Yahoo Finance by phone on Friday. "A lot of people would not be getting credit cards. You would see [credit] line reductions. And listen, the American economy runs on credit, and so you would see a small business slowdown. It's not the right answer." President Tr ...

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 30, 2026 08:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsBrian Foran - Managing DirectorChristophe Le Caillec - CFOCraig Maurer - Managing DirectorDon Fandetti - Managing DirectorJeff Adelson - Executive DirectorKartik Ramachandran - Head of Investor RelationsMoshe Orenbuch - Managing DirectorRick Shane - Managing DirectorRyan Nash - Managing Director for Regional Banks and Consumer FinanceSteve Squeri - Chairman and CEOConference Call ParticipantsCris Kenne ...