American Express Co (NYSE:AXP). reported record-breaking revenue and profit in its third quarter results, driven largely by strong demand for premium products such as the Amex Platinum Card and Business Gold Card. The financial services firm's revenue reached $15.4 billion, surpassing both analyst forecasts and the Q3 figure from the previous year of $13.6 billion. The impressive performance was primarily credited to a 20% increase in net card fees, as fee-based cards represented over 70% of all new accounts opened during this period.
CEO Steve Squeri attributed the strong performance to strategic investments in value offerings that cater to a broad customer base. In an effort to strengthen its position in the premium card market, American Express has been focusing on enhancing its Platinum Card, which carries a hefty $695 annual fee. The company also announced plans to increase benefits for the Business Gold Card and raise its annual fee from $295 to $375.
According to InvestingPro data, American Express has a market capitalization of $110.19 billion USD and a P/E ratio of 15.18. The company has also been successful in maintaining a steady revenue growth, with the latest figure standing at 10.52%. This is particularly impressive considering that, as per InvestingPro Tips, the company's revenue growth has been slowing down recently.
The company's shares have seen a 1.27% rise this year, outperforming the Dow Jones Industrial Average. American Express's net income reached an all-time high at $2.45 billion or $3.30 per share, surpassing the average analyst estimate of $2.95 per share. This aligns with an InvestingPro Tip that highlights the company's high earnings quality, with free cash flow exceeding net income.
InvestingPro Tips also point out that American Express is a prominent player in the Consumer Finance industry, yielding high returns on invested capital. This is supported by the company's strong earnings, which have allowed management to continue dividend payments for 53 consecutive years. The company's dividend yield stands at 1.6%, with a dividend growth of 15.38%, again affirming the company's strong performance.
In the light of these insights from InvestingPro, it's evident that American Express has a strong financial standing, with its strategic focus on premium products contributing significantly to its growth. For more detailed insights and tips, you can visit InvestingPro. The platform offers 13 additional tips about American Express and other companies, helping investors make informed decisions.
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