Group 1: Company Overview - American Express Company (AXP) is recognized as a strong wealth compounder, focusing on affluent consumers who drive nearly half of U.S. spending [2] - The company's share price was $360.31 as of December 1st, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 24.20 and 20.53 respectively [1] Group 2: Business Strategy and Performance - AXP's strategy emphasizes high-income customers, illustrated by the increase of its Platinum Card fee to $895 and the expansion of premium perks [2] - The company has shown resilience during cyclical slowdowns in discretionary spending, maintaining and expanding its elite customer base [3] - In Q2 2025, AXP reported record revenue of $17.9 billion, with EPS growth of 17% and the acquisition of 3.1 million new cards, primarily from Millennials and Gen Z [3] Group 3: Future Outlook - AXP's guidance for 2025 projects revenue growth of 8-10% and mid-teens EPS expansion, supported by its premium focus and new card offerings [4] - The company is well-positioned to benefit from the anticipated $15 trillion travel economy by 2040, as global consumers increasingly prioritize experiences over possessions [4] - Warren Buffett's significant investment in AXP, comprising nearly 19% of Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio, highlights the company's quality and long-term potential [4] Group 4: Investment Sentiment - AXP has appreciated approximately 21.65% since a previous bullish thesis was published, driven by its premium customer base, dividend growth, and strong buybacks [5] - As of the end of Q2, AXP was held by 70 hedge fund portfolios, a decrease from 75 in the previous quarter [6]