Banking, finance, and taxes
American Express Earnings Left Home (AXP)
Published:
Last Updated:
American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) posted earnings from continuing operations of $0.21EPS, down about a 70% year-over-year decline. Revenue plunged 11% to $6.51 billion. First Call expectations were $0.22 EPS and $7.22 billion in revenue.
The company is calling the economy the harshest in decades. It is still seeing write-offs and past-due loans rising.The total loss provision was roughly $1.4 billion. The company’sreturn on equity fell to 21.7%, down from 37.3% a year ago.
It looks like allcard services, network & merchant, commercial services, cardservices, and even cardmember spending all looked like they were loweryear-over-year.
At least its customers are de-leveraging as well, so that means that they won’t be overextended when the economy improves.
Shares closed down 5% at $15.20 in regular trading today, but are up 5% in after-hours action.
Many will find this report disappointing. But in today’smarket where there is at least a building of some form of a perceivedbase. Estimates on earnings had alreadybeen cut in more than half from just three months ago.
Jon C. Ogg
January 26, 2009
Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Get started right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.