This top Warren Buffett holding is an incredible dividend growth stock.Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A -0.17%) (BRK.B -0.15%), has long been revered as one of the greatest investors of all time. His ability to consistently beat the market over decades stems from a fundamental principle: investing in high-quality businesses with durable competitive advantages that generate consistent returns over the long term.One stock that exemplifies Buffett's investment philosophy is American Express ...

The stock market has now priced in the interest rate cut narrative. Investors can point to this idea by watching how the S&P 500 has gone from an uptrend market to a channeling—or even bracketing—market around a support and resistance area. The good news is that there are other stocks that haven’t yet topped or even caught up to pricing in these rate cuts.Even if price action in these stocks starts to slow down, investors need to know that this is only a natural extension of the broader S&P 500, and what co ...

This company has stood the test of time with its brand.It can pay to follow Warren Buffett. The legendary investor and operator of the conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway is indisputably the best investor in modern times, generating huge returns for those who invested along with him. His buy-and-hold strategy is a time-tested way to build wealth, even in the age of the internet and rapid algorithmic trading.One of Buffett's permanent holdings that he has owned for decades is American Express (AXP -3.09%). The c ...

This company is growing earnings rapidly yet still trades at a conservative valuation.Given the market's sharp rise this year, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rising about 15% and 14%, respectively, as of this writing, it's getting increasingly difficult to find good stocks to buy and hold for the long term. Many stocks' valuations have just become too pricey.One way for investors to navigate a market like this is to turn to high-quality companies paying out dividends likely to grow over the long haul ...

Part of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) CEO Warren Buffett’s success is his ability to identify stocks with long-term growth potential.Notably, Buffett’s portfolio consists of what can be referred to as ‘forever’ stocks, which have a reputation for offering sustainable competitive advantages while allowing investors to buy and hold them for an extended period.With the fourth quarter of 2024 approaching amid the lingering economic uncertainty surrounding a possible recession, some of Buffett’s ‘forever’ sto ...

Group 1: Berkshire Hathaway's Investment Strategy - Warren Buffett's success is attributed to his ability to identify stocks with long-term growth potential, referred to as 'forever' stocks [1] - These 'forever' stocks provide sustainable competitive advantages and are suitable for long-term holding [1] Group 2: Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) - Coca-Cola is highlighted as a leading player in Buffett's portfolio, representing a strong long-term investment with a distinct competitive advantage [2] - In Q2 2024, Coca-Cola reported revenue of $12.36 billion, exceeding expectations of $11.76 billion [2] - The company raised its organic revenue growth forecast to 9%-10% from 8%-9% and its comparable earnings growth outlook to 5%-6% from 4%-5% [3] - Coca-Cola's stock is currently trading at $70, with an 18% increase in 2024 despite a recent short-term decline of almost 2% [3] Group 3: American Express Company (AXP) - American Express is recognized for its strong brand, loyal customer base, and significant market share in the premium credit card sector, making it a suitable Q4 investment [6] - The company's Q2 2024 revenue grew 8.7% year over year to $15 billion, and it raised its 2024 earnings per share guidance to between $13.30 and $13.80 [6] - American Express's stock is trading at $251, reflecting a 33% increase [7] Group 4: General Market Sentiment - While general market sentiments influence these equities, their inclusion in Buffett's portfolio adds a layer of consideration for investors [9]

Core Insights - The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card offers a substantial welcome bonus and rewards structure, but the annual fee may not provide sufficient value for all users, especially those who do not frequently stay at Marriott hotels [1][3]. Summary by Category Annual Fee and Welcome Offer - The card has an annual fee of $250 and offers a welcome bonus of 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months [3]. Rewards Structure - Cardholders earn 6x Marriott Bonvoy points for eligible purchases at participating Marriott hotels, 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 combined per year), and 2x points on all other eligible purchases [3][5]. - The card can potentially earn up to 18.5x points for every $1 spent at Marriott hotels when factoring in membership bonuses and elite status [4][5]. Benefits - Cardholders can earn a free night award after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, which can be redeemed for stays at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy [7]. - The card provides 15 Elite Night Credits each year towards Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status, enhancing the overall value for frequent travelers [7]. Redemption Options - Points can primarily be redeemed for free hotel stays, but other options include booking travel, purchasing gift cards, and transferring points to frequent flyer programs [8][6]. Comparison with Other Cards - The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, with a lower annual fee of $95, offers a free night reward without a spending requirement, making it a potentially better option for some users [9][11].

Core Points - The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium travel credit card with a high annual fee of $650, offering substantial rewards and benefits that can justify its cost [3][18] - Cardholders can earn a welcome offer of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months [3] - The card provides a rewards rate of 6x points for eligible purchases at Marriott hotels, 3x points at restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2x points on all other eligible purchases [3][4] Rewards and Benefits - Cardholders can earn up to 21 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at participating Marriott hotels, combining credit card points, Marriott Bonvoy membership, and Platinum Elite status [4][8] - Additional benefits include a $300 Brilliant Dining Credit, one free night award annually, and complimentary Platinum Elite status, which offers perks like free room upgrades and late checkout [7][11] - The card also includes travel insurance benefits, such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, and no foreign transaction fees [17][18] Redemption Options - Points can be redeemed for hotel stays, flights, cruises, rental cars, and even charitable donations, with the highest value obtained through hotel stays [6][10] - The estimated value of points ranges from 0.7 to 0.9 cents each, with hotel stays providing the best redemption value [6] Target Audience - The card is best suited for frequent travelers who are loyal to Marriott properties, as it offers significant rewards for those who frequently stay at Marriott hotels [13][20] - It may be less valuable for individuals who prefer more flexible hotel options or do not frequently stay at Marriott properties [13][18]

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has a significant stake in American Express, which is its second-largest holding, representing over 21% ownership [1][2]. Group 1: Competitive Position - American Express (Amex) has a strong competitive position in the financial services sector, characterized by a wide economic moat that protects its advantages [2][4]. - The brand strength of Amex is bolstered by its premium card offerings, such as the Centurion Black Card, Platinum Card, and Gold Card, which attract affluent customers due to high annual fees and impressive perks [2][3]. - Amex cardholders generally exhibit lower charge-off rates compared to peers like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, indicating a safer credit profile [3]. Group 2: Network Effects - Amex benefits from network effects similar to Visa and Mastercard, where the value of the network increases as more merchants accept Amex transactions, creating a positive feedback loop [3]. Group 3: Valuation - Over the past five years, Amex shares have generated a total return of 131%, outperforming the S&P 500's 107% gain [5]. - The current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio for Amex is 19.2, slightly above its historical averages, suggesting that the stock may be fully valued [5]. - Despite valuation concerns, Amex is considered an outstanding business with a history of solid revenue and earnings growth, making it a worthy consideration for investment [6].

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) 25th Annual Scotiabank Financials Summit 2024 Conference September 4, 2024 11:50 AM ET Company Participants Anna Marrs - Group President of Global Commercial Services and Credit & Fraud Risk Unidentified Company Representative So, I'm delighted to start our keynote presentation of the day. It's really a pleasure to call to the stage Anna Marrs, Group President, Global Commercial Services and Credit and Fraud Risk at American Express. And we're so excited. This is the firs ...