American Express (NYSE:AXP) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.27 EPS

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The payment services company reported $4.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.01 by $0.27, FiscalAI reports. American Express had a return on equity of 33.49% and a net margin of 15.00%.The firm had revenue of $14.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.60 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.64 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. American Express updated its FY 2026 guidance to 17.300-17.900 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from American Express’ conference call:

• American Express reported a strong Q1 — revenue up 11% (10% FX?adjusted) and EPS of $4.28 (+18%) — and management reaffirmed full?year guidance of 9%–10% revenue growth and EPS $17.30–$17.90 while increasing marketing and technology investments.
• Premium?product momentum is driving growth — the Platinum refresh has accelerated spend with high retention after the fee increase, over 70% of new accounts are fee?paying, and international billings grew double digits.
• Credit and margin strength remain intact — delinquency and write?off rates are below 2019 levels, provisions included a small reserve release, and net interest income grew ~12%, outpacing balance growth.
• Management is pushing strategic growth initiatives — a one?year commercial product expansion (eight new/enhanced offerings) and AI initiatives like the ACE developer kit and Agent Purchase Protection aim to open new revenue channels in agentic commerce.
• Near?term risks could weigh on upside — recent travel disruptions caused airline refund activity and softness, exits of small?business co?brand portfolios will modestly depress SME spend growth, and elevated marketing/tech investments limit immediate EPS upside.

American Express Price Performance

AXP stock traded down $10.98 during trading on Thursday, hitting $321.92. 1,492,494 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,501,895. American Express Company has a one year low of $257.21 and a one year high of $387.49. The stock has a market cap of $220.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $314.60 and a 200 day simple moving average of $344.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68.

American Express Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, April 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 2nd. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. This is an increase from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. American Express’s payout ratio is 24.69%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on AXP. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on American Express from $395.00 to $385.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on American Express from $425.00 to $415.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Evercore set a $393.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of American Express in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $359.67.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.01, for a total transaction of $9,599,024.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 20,394 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,138,103.94. This trade represents a 57.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Ravikumar Radhakrishnan sold 15,000 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.58, for a total transaction of $5,348,700.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 8,945 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,189,608.10. This represents a 62.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366. Company insiders own 0.14% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Express

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sfam LLC bought a new position in American Express during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new position in American Express during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in American Express during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in American Express during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Swiss RE Ltd. bought a new position in shares of American Express in the fourth quarter worth about $39,000. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting American Express

Here are the key news stories impacting American Express this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 profit and revenue beat — AXP reported $4.28 EPS (above consensus) with solid fee income and continued strength in premium cardmember spending, supporting the beat. American Express beats Q1 estimates but shares slip on cautious outlook, investment plans
• Positive Sentiment: Cardmember spending momentum — High?end travel and luxury purchases drove ~9–10% cardmember spending growth (best quarterly rate since 2022), underpinning revenue and fee growth. American Express (AXP) Stock Gains After Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations
• Neutral Sentiment: FY 2026 guidance issued — Amex updated its EPS range to $17.30–$17.90 and revenue guidance roughly in line with consensus; the range gives investors a guidepost but leaves room for macro sensitivity. American Express trumps Q1 estimates, reaffirms full-year outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Ongoing strategic initiatives — Marketing and product pushes (e.g., new membership/NFL Draft experiences, AI payment tools) may support long?term engagement but are not immediate drivers of Q1 results. American Express Debuts New Membership Experiences at the 2026 NFL Draft
• Negative Sentiment: Cautious tone and higher investment/expense plans — Management signaled increased spending and a cautious macro outlook; investors reacted negatively to the guidance/expense cadence. American Express beats Q1 estimates but shares slip on cautious outlook, investment plans
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst pressure on valuation and macro risk — Some firms have trimmed price targets and reiterated Hold/Neutral stances amid uncertain macro trends, adding downward pressure on the stock. American Express Company (AXP) PT Slashed by JPMorgan on Uncertain Macro Outlook

About American Express

American Express is a global financial services company primarily known for its payment card products, travel services and merchant network. Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company evolved through the 20th century into a payments and travel-focused organization. Its core activities include issuing consumer and commercial charge and credit cards, operating a global card acceptance and processing network, and providing travel-related services and customer loyalty programs.

American Express issues a range of products for individuals, small businesses and large corporations, including personal cards, business and corporate cards, and co?brand partnerships with airlines, hotels and retailers.