American Express Earnings: When 6% Customer Spending Gain Is Not Enough

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By Jon C. Ogg Updated Published
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CreditAmerican Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) is finding a mixed reception after its earnings report. The higher-end credit card issuer reported a 16% earnings gain to $1.33 in earnings per share versus expectations of $1.30 per share. Unfortunately, its revenue was $8.2 billion versus $8.36 billion expected.

International Card Services revenue was at $1.35 billion and US Card services revenue was $4.29 billion. Its provision for losses was $485 million in the quarter. Its return on average equity was 28.3%, and the return on tangible common equity was 28.3%. Consolidated expenses were down 1% to $5.5 billion.

One thing that really stands out here is that customer spending was up 6% globally in the first quarter – despite so many global woes. Another thing that will stand out handily is that book value per share was $18.87 – versus a $87.40 at the close and versus a consensus price target of $94.21.

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American Express shares were down more than 1% at $86.40 in the after-hours session, and its stock has traded in a range of $63.43 to $94.35 in the last 52-weeks.

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About the Author Jon C. Ogg →

Jon Ogg has been a financial news analyst since 1997. Mr. Ogg set up one of the first audio squawk box services for traders called TTN, which he sold in 2003. He has previously worked as a licensed broker to some of the top U.S. and E.U. financial institutions, managed capital, and has raised private capital at the seed and venture stage. He has lived in Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as New York and Chicago, and he now lives in Houston, Texas. Jon received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance at University of Houston in 1992. a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

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