Gold bars to be exempt from tariffs, White House clarifies
On Thursday, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods maintained their positive stance on American Express (NYSE:AXP) stock, reiterating an Outperform rating with a $360.00 price target. The firm's analysts acknowledged the challenging economic environment, particularly in the travel sector, which has been affected by global trade uncertainty and tariffs implemented by President Trump's administration.
Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), a key partner of American Express, announced the withdrawal of its full-year financial guidance, citing the same global trade concerns. Despite this, Delta still anticipates turning a profit in 2025 but has chosen not to reconfirm its previous annual earnings per share (EPS) projections. The decision underscores the broader impact of the current tariff situation and its potential to influence the spending habits of affluent consumers, a key demographic for American Express. Nevertheless, American Express maintains strong financial health with a 9.3% revenue growth and a "GOOD" overall financial health score, as reported by InvestingPro.
Keefe analysts noted that while there are undeniable risks to the downside, American Express is still expected to outperform in the midst of market volatility and economic headwinds. They suggest that the recent dip in American Express shares may already reflect the potential for a slowdown in consumer spending.
Furthermore, the resilience of international travel was highlighted as a modestly positive indicator for cross-border transactions, which could benefit Visa (NYSE: NYSE:V) and Mastercard (NYSE: NYSE:MA). The analysts concluded that despite the risks presented by the current trade environment, American Express appears well-positioned to navigate through the challenges.
In other recent news, Visa has made a $100 million bid to replace Mastercard as the network for the Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) credit card, according to The Wall Street Journal. This move comes amidst Goldman Sachs' plans to exit the consumer lending sector, with major players like American Express also vying for the lucrative partnership. Meanwhile, Fitch Ratings has affirmed American Express' long-term rating at 'A' with a stable outlook, highlighting the company's strong franchise and steady earnings. In a strategic move, American Express has increased its quarterly dividend by 17%, raising it to $0.82 per share, effective May 9, 2025. The company also announced the appointment of Michael J. Angelakis to its Board of Directors, bringing extensive experience in corporate finance and strategic investments. These developments reflect American Express' ongoing efforts to enhance its financial performance and governance. Additionally, American Express continues to maintain solid liquidity and risk-adjusted capitalization, supported by a growing card membership and positive operating leverage. The recent moves underline the company's commitment to delivering value to its investors and strengthening its market position.
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