American Express & UPS Team Up to Boost SMBs During Holiday Season

Core Insights - American Express Company (AXP) and UPS have formed a strategic partnership to enhance efficiency in logistics and payments, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) [1][2] - The collaboration introduces exclusive benefits through American Express' Business Savings Suite, offering tiered savings on UPS shipping services, which is timely for SMBs facing cash flow and inventory challenges [2][8] - This partnership expands AXP's reach beyond traditional payment services, integrating financial solutions into UPS' logistics network, potentially increasing customer engagement in shipping and international trade [3][4] Financial Performance - AXP's network volume increased by 6% year over year in the first half of 2025, with total revenue growth of 8% net of interest expense [3][8] - AXP shares have appreciated by 9% year-to-date, outperforming the industry growth of 3.9% [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AXP's 2025 earnings is projected at $15.27 per share, indicating a 14.4% increase from the previous year [10] Competitive Landscape - Competitors such as Mastercard and Visa are also performing well, with Mastercard reporting a 13% year-over-year increase in net revenues and Visa showing an 8% rise in payment volume [5][6]