American Express(NYSE) AXP

American Express Co. helps people pay for things with cards. It provides rewards and services for travel and dining. The company also connects businesses to its global network.

More Than Just Credit Cards

• U.S. Consumer Services: Personal cards, travel support, and banking products for individuals in the United States.
• Commercial Services: Payment and expense management tools for small and large businesses.
• International Card Services: Credit and lifestyle services for customers outside the United States.
• Merchant and Network Services: Global systems that process card transactions and connect businesses to the network.

Strategic Moves and Partnerships

• Purchased the remaining interest in the Swisscard joint venture on Jan. 12, 2026, to make it a wholly owned subsidiary.
• Proposed the acquisition of TheFork, which is an online restaurant reservation and management platform in Europe.
• Announced the sale of a 30% equity interest in Global Business Travel Group as part of a pending acquisition.
• Refreshed the U.S. Platinum card value propositions to attract premium customers and drive card fee growth.

The Power of the Network

Amex operates an integrated global network that manages the entire payment process between customers and merchants. This model allows the company to provide unique marketing insights and fraud prevention tools to its partners.

A Look at the Numbers

• Total revenues net of interest expense reached $19.6 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2026, up 10% year over year.
• Net income rose to $3.1 billion for the three-month period ended June 30, 2026, up 8% compared to the previous year.
• Billed business reached $455.8 billion during the three-month period ended June 30, 2026, up 9% year over year.
• Provisions for credit losses fell to $1.1 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, down 23% year over year.
• The company returned $2.9 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks in the second quarter of 2026.

Evolution of a Payments Giant

American Express has transitioned from a traditional card issuer into a technology-driven payments and lifestyle services company. Its focus on high-spending customers and an integrated network supports its long-term growth strategy.