Core Insights - American Express has maintained a strong focus on affluent customers, benefiting from their appreciation for travel and dining perks, which has helped the company remain resilient amid concerns of a spending slowdown [1] - Total spending on Amex cards increased by 7% in the second quarter, matching the first quarter and surpassing the 6% increase from the previous year [1] Spending Trends - Travel spending showed weakness compared to goods and services transactions, particularly due to stagnant airline spending, which remained flat year-over-year [2] - The decline in economy class domestic airfare, which fell by 3.5% in June compared to the previous year, indicates that consumers are spending less on tickets despite overall inflation rising [3] Financial Performance - American Express reported second-quarter profit and revenue that exceeded expectations and reaffirmed its 2025 guidance for these metrics [3] - Despite positive financial results, shares of American Express fell by 2.7% during midday trading, with year-to-date share growth at less than 4%, lagging behind other financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup [3] Competitive Landscape - Increased competition in the premium card market from companies such as JPMorgan, Capital One, and Citigroup poses challenges for American Express, particularly as it launches a refreshed Platinum card [4] - Concerns have been raised regarding the company's spending on rewards programs, as it may need to invest more heavily to achieve growth [4]

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway has achieved a remarkable 40,000% increase in shareholder capital over the past 40 years under Warren Buffett's leadership, with American Express being a significant holding that may attract average investors [1] Company Overview - American Express represents 13.8% of Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio, with the conglomerate controlling about one-fifth of the business [1] - The stock is currently trading 28% below its record high, influenced by a 10% drop on April 3 due to concerns over tariffs affecting spending [2] Competitive Advantage - American Express is considered a "wonderful" company due to its strong brand positioned as a premium offering in the credit card market [3][4] - The company benefits from a powerful economic moat, characterized by high annual fees, top-notch rewards, and valuable partnerships that attract high-spending consumers [5] - Its two-sided platform creates a network effect, enhancing value for both cardholders and merchants [6] Financial Performance - Over the past five years, American Express has seen revenue grow at a compound annual rate of 8.7%, with diluted earnings per share (EPS) increasing at an annual pace of 11.9% [8] - Wall Street consensus estimates project EPS to grow at an annualized rate of 14.5% over the next three years, indicating strong bottom-line growth potential [9] Valuation and Investment Outlook - The stock's valuation has become more attractive, trading at about 16 times forward earnings, down from a peak forward P/E ratio of 21.2 [10] - Even if the valuation remains constant, projected EPS doubling in the next five years could lead to a 100% gain on the stock [11]