American Express Stock Soars -- Why It Could Go Even Higher.

A blowout quarter and a premium customer mix are forcing the market to revisit what this franchise is worth.American Express (AXP 0.70%) is a global payments company with a different model from the card networks most investors know. Unlike Visa and Mastercard, which mainly run transaction networks and avoid lending, American Express issues cards, extends credit, and earns meaningful fee income from premium customers. That difference mattered on Friday, when shares jumped after the company posted strong thir ...