The Motley Foolยท2025-11-24 05:31Core Viewpoint - American Express is highlighted as a strong investment within Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio, showcasing consistent earnings growth and a robust business model that aligns with Warren Buffett's investment philosophy [2][4][12]. Company Overview - American Express is Berkshire Hathaway's second-largest equity holding, valued at approximately $50 billion, accounting for nearly 20% of its equity portfolio [5]. - The company operates as a global payments provider, issuing cards and managing its own network, which allows it to gather valuable consumer spending data [6]. Financial Performance - In 2024, American Express reported a revenue increase of 9% year-over-year to $65.9 billion, with earnings per share rising 25% to $14.01 [7]. - The company returned $7.9 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends during the same year [7]. - Recent quarters indicate continued momentum, with second-quarter revenue growth of 9% and earnings per share growth of 17%, while third-quarter revenue growth accelerated to 11% [8]. Market Position and Strategy - The successful refresh of the Platinum card has significantly boosted customer engagement, with new account acquisitions doubling compared to pre-refresh levels [9][10]. - American Express commands a premium annual fee of $895 for its Platinum card, reflecting its strong pricing power and the value it provides to members [10]. Valuation Metrics - American Express has a price-to-earnings ratio of 24, which is lower than that of Apple (36) and Alphabet (30), making it relatively attractive among Buffett's investments [11][12]. - Despite not being cheap compared to traditional financial stocks, the valuation appears reasonable given the company's consistent double-digit revenue growth and strong capital returns [12].