American Express stock: Guidance rises as AI and costs shape outlook
Published on 10/30/2026 at 11:21 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSGuidance, spending and efficiency priorities
- American Express lifted its 2026 reported and adjusted earnings outlook while keeping its 10 percent revenue-growth target.
- Premium customer spending, card fees and credit quality supported the outlook, but commercial-card competition and restructuring remain investor focus areas.
- Management is expanding artificial intelligence across customer engagement, payments and servicing while addressing regulatory remediation.
American Express raised its 2026 earnings outlook after a third-quarter performance led by resilient premium-card spending, faster card-fee growth and stable credit quality. Zacks Investment Research reported the call highlights on October 26, 2026, including higher full-year guidance and management's plans for artificial intelligence and efficiency.
American Express now expects 2026 reported earnings of USD 18.30 to USD 18.60 per share, compared with its adjusted outlook of USD 17.60 to USD 17.90. The company kept its revenue-growth target at 10 percent. Adjusted third-quarter earnings reached USD 4.68 per share, above the Zacks consensus estimate of USD 4.47, while revenue rose 9 percent year over year to USD 20.06 billion and came in below the USD 20.13 billion consensus.
Premium spending supports the outlook
Billed business increased 8 percent. U.S. consumer spending grew 9.4 percent, while travel and entertainment spending advanced 10 percent, with airline spending up 13 percent and restaurant spending up 9 percent. International spending increased 11 percent, extending a run of 22 consecutive quarters with double-digit growth, according to the report.
Net card fees grew 17 percent on a foreign-exchange-adjusted basis, accelerating from 15 percent in the previous quarter. American Express added 3.1 million cards, and 76 percent of new accounts carried fees. Card balances increased 8 percent, net interest income rose 10 percent and the net write-off rate declined to 1.8 percent from 1.9 percent a year earlier.
AI investment meets cost pressure
Chief Executive Stephen Squeri identified customer value propositions, acquisition, engagement, payments and servicing as five areas for AI deployment. The company is expanding its OpenAI collaboration and plans an Amex plug-in that would let card members discover and enroll in offers. Management also emphasized transaction authentication, customer protection and limits on agent access.
American Express recorded a USD 336 million restructuring charge and plans to eliminate about 5 percent of its global positions. Squeri said the program is intended to simplify the organization, speed decisions and create capacity for investment. Chief Financial Officer Christophe Le Caillec expects variable customer-engagement expense growth to moderate in the fourth quarter as the company moves beyond the cost effects of the U.S. Platinum Card refresh.
The call also highlighted risks for investors. Management acknowledged weaker middle-market growth in commercial payments as competition from Ramp, Brex and other providers intensifies. The company is responding with corporate cards, expense-management capabilities and the Center acquisition. Executives also discussed regulatory deficiencies and remediation without changing the earnings outlook.
Stock context for investors
American Express stock traded at EUR 289.90 on Lang & Schwarz at 11:09 CET on Friday, October 30, 2026. The price is shown without a daily direction because the available Xetra comparison could not be matched to the American Express listing.
For the latest real-time quote of American Express stock, investors can follow the current Lang & Schwarz indication.
American Express Company
- Company: American Express Company
- ISIN: US0258161092
- Ticker: AXP
- Home exchange: New York Stock Exchange
- Lang & Schwarz price: EUR 289.90 on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 11:09 CET
The broader U.S. market backdrop is available in the latest S&P 500 market reports.
American Express stock remains tied to the execution of the premium-card strategy: fee growth and affluent spending support earnings, while benefit costs, commercial competition, restructuring and regulatory remediation will test operating leverage. More news and analyses on American Express stock will follow the company's next disclosures.
