American Express (NYSE:AXP) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.12 EPS

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) released its quarterly earnings results on Friday. The payment services company reported $4.53 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.41 by $0.12, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $14.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.70 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 33.95% and a net margin of 15.13%.The company’s revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $4.08 EPS. 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 posted 10% revenue growth and $4.53 EPS in Q2, and management raised full-year revenue growth guidance to 10% while keeping EPS guidance at $17.30-$17.90.
• The company said its Platinum refresh is driving strong momentum, with U.S. consumer spend up 11.4%, the Platinum portfolio now the fastest-growing in the U.S. consumer business, and retention remaining very high.
• Credit quality remained a standout, with delinquency and write-off rates still below 2019 levels and provision expense benefiting from a $191 million reserve release due to further portfolio strength.
• Management plans to reinvest better-than-expected results into customer acquisition, technology, and the planned TheFork acquisition rather than flow all upside to EPS, which supports long-term growth but keeps near-term earnings guidance unchanged.
• Card fee growth is expected to accelerate in Q3 and exit the year in the high teens, while the sale of two small business co-brand portfolios will create a modest year-end headwind to spend and NII that was already built into guidance.

American Express Trading Down 4.4%

AXP opened at $325.86 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $332.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $330.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.56. American Express Company has a 12 month low of $288.34 and a 12 month high of $387.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $222.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.77, a PEG ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.04.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 2nd. American Express’s payout ratio is presently 23.71%.

Key Headlines Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express beat Q2 EPS estimates with $4.53 per share and reported 10% year-over-year revenue growth, showing resilient demand from cardmembers. AmEx raises 2026 revenue growth forecast as affluent cardholders keep spending
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised its 2026 revenue growth forecast and guided full-year EPS to $17.30-$17.90, signaling confidence that premium card spending on travel and dining remains strong. American Express Reports Second-Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management said cardmember spending stayed healthy, with strong travel and entertainment demand and continued strength among affluent customers, which supports revenue momentum. American Express Sales, Profit Rise on Higher Card Member Spending
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and market commentary suggest the stock reaction is being driven by an earnings-quality debate: investors liked the beat, but the market is questioning whether growth can continue while expenses rise. Why American Express Stock Fell 6.5% Friday Morning
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue came in below some Wall Street expectations, and reports highlighted softer net interest income and rising operating costs, which helped trigger selling despite the profit beat. American Express shares slip despite earnings beat as revenue falls short of forecasts

Analyst Ratings Changes

AXP has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Piper Sandler lowered shares of American Express from an “overweight” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Evercore initiated coverage on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, July 13th. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Jefferies Financial Group raised American Express from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, DZ Bank raised shares of American Express from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $375.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $374.11.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Express

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Sfam LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Express during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in American Express in the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in American Express during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC acquired a new position in American Express during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Swiss RE Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

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.