American Express Stock Is Surging—Here’s Why

Core Insights - American Express shares have increased approximately 15% in 2025, slightly outperforming the S&P 500's gains [1][5] Financial Performance - American Express reported record quarterly revenue driven by strong spending from affluent consumers, with third-quarter earnings per share at $4.14 and revenue reaching $18.43 billion, an 11% year-over-year increase [2][5] - The company raised the lower end of its full-year earnings per share outlook to $15.20 to $15.50, up from a previous range of $15 to $15.50, and projected revenue growth of 9% to 10%, compared to the prior estimate of 8% to 10% [3] Market Reaction - Following the earnings announcement, American Express shares surged over 6% to approximately $343, positioning them for a record closing high [3] Economic Context - The results highlight a trend where the economy is increasingly influenced by the spending habits of wealthy Americans, who are benefiting from stock market gains [4] - CEO Stephen Squeri noted that the launch of updated high-end credit cards contributed significantly to the strong performance, with demand and engagement surpassing expectations [4]