Core Insights - American Express (NYSE: AXP) has shown significant stock performance, with a price increase of 180% over the past five years, and a total return of 198% when including dividends [1] - Berkshire Hathaway holds a 22.1% stake in American Express, which has increased to represent 16.5% of its overall portfolio due to the company's stock buyback strategy [3] Company Performance - American Express has a strong brand presence in the credit card industry, offering premium cards that appeal to affluent customers, which contributes to its financial success [5] - The company has demonstrated pricing power, with an average fee per card increasing by 75% from 2020 to 2025, and it maintains lower delinquency and charge-off rates compared to industry averages [6] - Revenue (net of interest expense) has grown by 120% over the past decade, while diluted earnings per share have increased by 205%, with long-term growth targets set at 10% for revenue and mid-teens for earnings [7]

Core Viewpoint - Adding blue chip stocks, particularly those held by Berkshire Hathaway, can be a sound investment strategy due to their historical performance and stability. Group 1: Berkshire Hathaway's Portfolio - Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio is heavily concentrated, with its top four holdings comprising nearly 56% of its total stock portfolio [2] - The top four holdings are Apple (19.7%), American Express (17.3%), Bank of America (9.5%), and Coca-Cola (9.1%) [3] Group 2: Apple - Apple is the largest holding in Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio and has built a strong ecosystem around its products, enhancing customer retention [4][5] - The company generates significant free cash flow and has a growing service business that provides higher margins compared to hardware sales [6] - As of the latest data, Apple's market cap is $3.8 trillion, with a gross margin of 46.91% and a dividend yield of 0.40% [7] Group 3: American Express - American Express is positioned as a luxury brand, attracting affluent customers and generating steady income through premium card fees [8] - The company owns its payment network, allowing it to earn from transactions, annual memberships, and interest, differentiating it from competitors like Visa and Mastercard [9] - American Express has a market cap of $251 billion, a gross margin of 61.04%, and a dividend yield of 0.90% [11] Group 4: Bank of America - Bank of America operates across various banking sectors, making it a stable investment tied to the U.S. economy's long-term growth [12] - The bank's "too big to fail" status provides a safety net, enhancing consumer trust and regulatory stability [13] - As of the end of 2025, Bank of America had over $285 billion in cash and cash equivalents and over $3.4 trillion in assets, with a dividend yield of 2.04% [15] Group 5: Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola is a long-standing holding of Berkshire Hathaway, known for its stability and consistent dividend payments, having increased its annual payout for 63 consecutive years [16] - The company's products maintain strong sales regardless of economic conditions, providing it with pricing power [17] - Coca-Cola is considered a defensive stock, making it a reliable choice for long-term investors [16][18]