Group 1 - American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) is recognized as one of the 13 incredibly cheap dividend stocks to invest in [1] - The company has established a significant customer base and operates a consistently profitable and expanding business [2] - Over the last five years, revenue has increased from approximately $38 billion to over $74 billion, while net income has more than tripled from $3.1 billion to just over $10 billion [3] Group 2 - American Express has a strong history of paying dividends, currently offering a quarterly dividend of $0.82, resulting in a dividend yield of 0.96% as of September 19 [4]

Final trade time. Michael Poe. Now >> on the opposite side of the overlever BNPL consumer is American Express which also has been doing a lot to improve the premium card benefits.AXP >> Timothy >> Lax with a fascinating conversation. Agree with her on hybrids and agree or she agrees with me I believe on Toyota TM. >> Happy birthday Dan Nathan tomorrow and Carile Group.Tim. >> Yeah. D David Rubenstein one of the best CEOs out there and one of the best CEOs in baseball.Go O's Mark Vine. Thanks for the shout o ...

Group 1 - American Express has increased the annual fee for its Platinum card from $695 to $895, effective for renewals starting in 2025, as part of a significant investment in card enhancements [4] - The fee hike is accompanied by new benefits, including hotel, dining, and lifestyle credits worth up to $3,500 annually, contingent on cardholder usage [4] - In contrast, Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss mocked the fee increase on social media, highlighting that Gemini's credit card has no annual fee [1][2] Group 2 - The launch of the Amex Travel App and Amex Passport aims to personalize travel planning and enhance digital travel experiences, including collectible "Stamps" for international transactions [2] - Community feedback on Gemini's credit card has been largely negative, with users reporting issues such as application glitches, low credit limits, and delays in receiving cards [3] - Users expressed frustration over the application process and the functionality of the Gemini app, with some stating they faced multiple failed attempts to apply for the card [3]

Core Thesis - American Express Company (AXP) is viewed as a durable, long-term compounder with a unique self-reinforcing business model that sets it apart from competitors like Visa and Mastercard [2][5] Business Model - American Express operates a closed-loop system, issuing cards, processing payments, negotiating with merchants, and maintaining customer relationships, allowing it to capture more transaction economics [2][3] - The company charges merchants over 3% on average, reinvesting most of this into member benefits such as travel rewards and concierge services, which enhances customer loyalty [3] Financial Performance - American Express has maintained high retention rates and loyalty-driven spending, with over 70% of costs in 2025 linked to member benefits [3] - The company has achieved exceptional returns on equity, averaging 25-35% over the last 15 years, supported by recurring merchant fee income and disciplined underwriting [4] Market Position - Partnerships with acquirers like Stripe and Square have expanded American Express's reach to 99% of U.S. merchant touchpoints, with direct enterprise relationships accounting for 73% of transaction volume [4] - The closed-loop system enhances merchant acceptance, loyalty, and data insights, strengthening the company's competitive moat over time [5] Investment Outlook - With a trailing P/E of approximately 22x, American Express presents an attractive risk/reward profile as a mid-teens compounder, demonstrating resilience across macroeconomic cycles [5] - The company benefits from rising consumer and corporate spending, as well as interest rate fluctuations, while its internal structure mitigates many competitive and regulatory risks [5]

Economic Overview - The US economy is primarily supported by affluent consumers, with a significant disparity in spending habits between the wealthiest and the majority of the population, who are struggling to keep up with inflation [1] - The spending habits of the top 10% of income earners account for nearly half of all consumer spending, highlighting the economic divide [5] Credit Card Market Dynamics - American Express (Amex) has introduced a revamped Platinum credit card with enhanced travel and dining benefits, raising the annual fee to $895, reflecting a trend towards luxury credit offerings [4][7] - The competition among credit card companies is intensifying, with Amex and JPMorgan Chase both enhancing their luxury cards and increasing fees, indicating a focus on affluent customers [5][7] Consumer Behavior and Spending - The luxury credit card market is characterized by high annual fees and significant spending potential, with some cardholders able to extract up to $3,500 in value from their cards [5] - Despite the high costs, the demand for luxury credit cards remains strong, driven by consumers seeking status symbols and premium benefits [8]

Group 1 - American Express is a well-positioned business with strong backing from Warren Buffett, indicating confidence in its potential [1][5][7] - The company generated $17.9 billion in revenue in Q2 2025, reflecting a 9% year-over-year increase, which contributed to a 17% rise in earnings [2] - American Express focuses on wealthier customers, who have shown resilience in spending despite broader economic concerns, contrasting with trends seen in lower-priced retailers [3][4] Group 2 - The company's stock is near all-time highs, but caution is advised as even great companies can be poor investments if purchased at inflated prices [6][7] - Warren Buffett's investment philosophy emphasizes buying good companies at attractive prices, which is a consideration for potential investors in American Express [6]

There are powerful inducements to holding an Amex credit card.American Express (AXP 1.76%) is one of the most recognized and familiar payment card brands not only in its namesake country, but throughout the world. The specialty financial company has a massive customer base and runs a business that is consistently profitable and continually growing. That's not the foundational reason its stock is a good investment, however. There is one element of the company that makes it unique, and that uniqueness will re ...

Core Insights - American Express has announced significant upgrades to its U.S. Platinum cards, adding new perks valued at over $3,500 annually while increasing the annual fee by $200 to $895 [1][3]. Summary by Categories Perks and Benefits - The updated perks include dining credits via Resy, shopping credits at Lululemon, and Uber One memberships, along with enhanced hotel and entertainment benefits [2]. - Platinum Business cardholders will receive new credits for Dell and Adobe purchases, a $600 hotel credit, and up to $3,600 in additional statement credits for top spenders [2]. Financial Implications - The increase in annual fee to $895 is expected to provide a long-term boost to American Express's financial results [3]. - The company believes that the value provided through the new perks significantly exceeds the annual fee, enhancing customer satisfaction and retention [3]. Target Demographics - The card refresh aligns with American Express's strategy to target affluent customers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, who are comfortable with credit card fees and view them as subscription-like products [5][6]. - Millennials and Gen Z account for 35% of all U.S. consumer spending for American Express, a significant increase from 19% in 2019 [7]. Spending Trends - Since the launch of Resy benefits, Amex cardholders have increased their spending at participating U.S. restaurants by 25%, making them attractive to restaurant partners [4]. - The trend indicates a strong willingness among customers to pay for premium card benefits, as evidenced by record increases in card fees reported in Q2 earnings [7].

Fees and Benefits - American Express Platinum 信用卡年费从 695 美元提高到 895 美元 [1] - American Express Platinum 信用卡年费增长了 287% [1] - 该卡将提供超过 3500 美元的年度福利 [1]

RT Base (@base)Ready for your next trip?@AmericanExpress just rolled out in-app passport stamps to give travelers new ways to collect, own, and share their journeys — built on Base.https://t.co/QyLknA5W7B ...