American Express (NYSE: AXP) posts 11% Q1 2026 revenue growth and 18% EPS gain
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
American Express Company reported strong Q1 2026 results. Total revenues net of interest expense were $18.9 billion, up 11% year-over-year, or 10% on an FX-adjusted basis, driven by higher Card Member spending, increased net interest income and strong card fee growth.
Net income was $2.97 billion, up 15%, and diluted EPS was $4.28, up 18% from $3.64. Billed business reached $428.0 billion, up 10%. Provisions for credit losses were $1.25 billion, up 9%, while the principal-only net write-off rate for consumer and small business card balances was 2.0%.
Total expenses rose 11% to $13.9 billion, largely from higher variable customer engagement costs and operating expenses. The effective tax rate declined to 21.4%. Return on average common equity was 36.6%, and the company reaffirmed its full-year 2026 revenue and EPS guidance.
Positive
- Strong top- and bottom-line growth: Q1 2026 revenues net of interest expense rose 11% to $18.9 billion, net income increased 15% to $2.97 billion, and diluted EPS grew 18% to $4.28, supported by higher spending, net interest income and card fee growth.
- High profitability and capital strength: Return on average common equity reached 36.6% and return on average equity was 35.2%, while the Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio remained solid at 10.5%, indicating robust earnings power and regulatory capital.
- Guidance reaffirmed with growing spend base: The company reaffirmed full-year 2026 revenue and EPS guidance, with billed business up 10% to $428.0 billion and network volumes up 11%, highlighting broad-based spending momentum across consumer, commercial and international portfolios.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Double‑digit growth in revenue and EPS with guidance reaffirmed.
American Express delivered Q1 2026 revenue of $18.9 billion, up 11%, as higher Card Member spending, net interest income and card fees supported growth. Net income of $2.97 billion and diluted EPS of $4.28 increased 15% and 18%, respectively.
Credit quality remained solid: provisions for credit losses were $1.25 billion, up 9%, while the consumer and small business principal-only net write-off rate was 2.0%. Network volumes and billed business each grew around high-single to low-double digits, indicating healthy spend trends across U.S. consumer, commercial and international segments.
Total expenses rose 11% to $13.9 billion, reflecting higher rewards, services and operating costs, yet return on average common equity stayed high at 36.6%. Regulatory capital remained strong, with a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 10.5%. Management reaffirmed full-year 2026 revenue and EPS guidance, and the quarterly dividend increased to $0.95 per share.
8-K Event Classification
3 items: 2.02, 7.01, 9.01
3 items
Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Total revenues net of interest expense: $18.9 billion
Net income: $2.971 billion
Diluted EPS: $4.28 per share
+5 more
8 metrics
Total revenues net of interest expense
$18.9 billion
Q1 2026, up 11% year-over-year
Net income
$2.971 billion
Q1 2026, up 15% year-over-year
Diluted EPS
$4.28 per share
Q1 2026, up 18% from $3.64
Billed business
$428.0 billion
Q1 2026, 10% year-over-year growth
Provisions for credit losses
$1.251 billion
Q1 2026, up 9% year-over-year
Total expenses
$13.878 billion
Q1 2026, up 11% year-over-year
Return on average common equity
36.6%
Q1 2026 annualized
Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio
10.5%
Q1 2026 Basel III
Key Terms
FX-adjusted, provisions for credit losses, net write-off rate, variable customer engagement costs, +2 more
6 terms
FX-adjusted financial
"First-quarter consolidated total revenues net of interest expense were $18.9 billion, up 11 percent year-over-year, or 10 percent on an FX-adjusted basis."
provisions for credit losses financial
"Consolidated provisions for credit losses were $1.3 billion, compared with $1.2 billion a year ago."
An amount a lender or bank sets aside from earnings to cover loans and other credits it expects might not be repaid. Think of it as a rainy-day fund for unpaid bills: increasing the provision reduces reported profit today but protects the balance sheet if borrowers default, while a smaller provision can temporarily boost earnings but may signal higher future risk. Investors watch it to judge loan quality and future earnings stability.
net write-off rate financial
"The first-quarter net write-off rate was 2.0 percent, compared to 2.1 percent a year ago."
variable customer engagement costs financial
"The increase was primarily driven by higher variable customer engagement costs due to increased Card Member spending, the U.S. Platinum Card refresh, and usage of travel- and lifestyle-related benefits."
Common Equity Tier 1 regulatory
"Common Equity Tier 1/Risk Weighted Assets (RWA) | 10.5 %"
Common Equity Tier 1 is the highest-quality capital a bank holds—mainly common shares and retained profits—that acts as the primary cushion against losses. Investors use the CET1 level and ratio to judge a bank’s financial strength and regulatory standing: a bigger cushion means the bank is better able to absorb shocks, sustain payouts and borrow cheaply, much like an emergency fund for a household.
Supplementary Leverage Ratio (SLR) regulatory
"Supplementary Leverage Ratio (SLR) | 8.2 %"
Earnings Snapshot
Total revenues net of interest expense: $18.907 billion · Guidance included
Q1 2026
Total revenues net of interest expense
$18.907 billion
+11% YoY
Net income
$2.971 billion
+15% YoY
Diluted EPS
$4.28
+18% YoY
Billed business
$428.0 billion
+10% YoY
Provisions for credit losses
$1.251 billion
+9% YoY
Guidance
Company reaffirmed full-year 2026 revenue and EPS guidance.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 23, 2026
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(212 ) 640-2000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
| Not Applicable | ||
| (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) | ||
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | |||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition and Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
The following information is furnished under Item 2.02 – Results of Operations and Financial Condition and Item 7.01 – Regulation FD Disclosure:
On April 23, 2026, American Express Company (the “Company”) reported financial results for the first quarter of 2026. A copy of the Company’s earnings release is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 and additional information relating to the Company’s financial results for the first quarter of 2026 is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.2.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit | Description | ||||
| 99.1 | Earnings Release, dated April 23, 2026, of American Express Company regarding its financial results for the first quarter of 2026. | ||||
| 99.2 | Additional information relating to the financial results of American Express Company for the first quarter of 2026. | ||||
| 104 | The cover page of this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted as inline XBRL. | ||||
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Current Report on Form 8-K (including the exhibits attached hereto) includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements, which address the Company’s current expectations regarding business and financial performance, including management’s guidance for 2026, among other matters, contain words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “likely,” “continue” and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, the following:
•the Company’s ability to achieve its 2026 earnings per common share (EPS) guidance and grow EPS in the future, which will depend in part on revenue growth, credit performance, credit reserve and expense levels and the effective tax rate remaining consistent with current expectations and the Company’s ability to continue investing in growth initiatives (such as its brand, value propositions, coverage, marketing, technology, partnerships and talent), controlling operating expenses, effectively managing risk and executing its share repurchase program, any of which could be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified in the subsequent paragraphs as well as the following: macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, including a slowdown in U.S. or global economic growth, changes to consumer and business confidence, higher rates of unemployment and wide-scale layoffs, impacts of the Middle East conflict and other international hostilities and deteriorations in global trade, the effects of announced or future tariffs, changes in interest rates, inflation, supply chain issues, energy costs, market volatility, government shutdowns and fiscal and monetary policies; the effects of technology changes and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI); the impact of any future contingencies, including, but not limited to, legal costs and settlements, the imposition of fines or monetary penalties, increases in Card Member remediation, investment gains or losses, restructurings, impairments and changes in reserves;
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issues impacting brand perceptions and the Company’s reputation; changes in the competitive environment and an inability to realize benefits from new and extended sponsorships; impacts related to acquisitions, cobrand relationships and other partners; and the impact of regulation and litigation, which could affect the profitability of the Company’s business activities, limit the Company’s ability to pursue business opportunities, require changes to business practices or alter the Company’s relationships with Card Members, partners and merchants;
•the Company’s ability to achieve its 2026 revenue growth guidance and grow revenues net of interest expense in the future, which could be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified above and in the subsequent paragraphs, as well as the following: spending volumes not being consistent with expectations, including spending by U.S. consumer and small & mid-sized business Card Members and airline and other travel & entertainment spending volumes, such as due to uncertain business and economic conditions, as well as geopolitical conditions; an inability to address competitive pressures, attract and retain customers, invest in and enhance the Company’s Membership Model of premium products, differentiated services and partnerships, successfully refresh and introduce card products, grow spending and lending with customers across age cohorts (including Millennial and Gen-Z customers) and commercial segments and implement strategies and business initiatives, including within the premium consumer space, commercial payments and the global network; the impacts of portfolio sales; the effects of regulatory initiatives, including pricing regulation, such as pricing for card acceptance and potential credit card interest rate caps, and network regulation; merchant coverage growing less than expected or the reduction of merchant acceptance or perceptions of coverage; increased surcharging, steering, suppression or other differential acceptance practices with respect to the Company’s products; merchant discount rates changing from the Company’s expectations; and changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
•net card fee revenues not growing consistent with the Company’s expectations for 2026 and beyond, which could be impacted by, among other things, the pace of Card Member acquisition activity and demand for the Company’s fee-based products; higher Card Member attrition rates; the success and timing of the Company’s refreshes of its card products (including acquisition and retention levels of the U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum Card portfolios); a decrease in the ability and desire of Card Members to pay card fees, such as due to a deterioration in macroeconomic conditions or as a result of changes in card fees; the competitive environment and the perception of the value provided by premium cards; regulatory initiatives impacting card fees; and the Company’s inability to deliver and enhance benefits and services, innovate with respect to its products and develop attractive premium value propositions for new and existing customers;
•net interest income and the growth of net interest income relative to the growth of Card balances and Other loans outstanding, being higher or lower than expectations, which could be impacted by, among other things, the behavior and financial strength of Card Members and their actual spending, borrowing and paydown patterns; the effectiveness of the Company’s strategies to enhance Card Member value propositions, grow lending with premium customers and capture a greater share of Card Members’ spending and borrowings, and attract new, and retain existing, customers; the Company’s ability to effectively introduce and enhance lending features on its products and manage underwriting risk; governmental actions to cap credit card interest rates; changes in benchmark interest rates, including where such changes affect the Company’s assets or liabilities differently than expected; the Company’s ability to grow deposits, including from Card Members; continued volatility and other changes in capital and credit market conditions and the availability and cost of capital; credit actions, including line size and other adjustments to credit availability; the yield on revolve-eligible Card balances and Other loans differing from current expectations; and loss or impacts to cobrand relationships;
•future credit performance, the level of future delinquency, reserve and write-off rates and the amount and timing of future reserve builds and releases, which will depend in part on macroeconomic factors such as actual and projected unemployment rates and GDP, as well as the occurrence of events that
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increase macroeconomic uncertainty or volatility; the ability and willingness of Card Members to pay amounts owed to the Company; changes in Card balances and Other loans outstanding, such as from the implementation of the Company’s strategy to capture spending and borrowings, or from changes in consumer behavior that affect customer balances (e.g., paydown and revolve rates); changes in the levels of customer acquisitions and the credit profiles of new customers acquired; financial stress and volume of bankruptcies of Card Members and business partners; credit-related fraud levels; the magnitude of seasonal fluctuations in credit metrics; the enrollment in, and effectiveness of, financial relief programs and the performance of accounts as they exit from such programs; the effects of the resumption of student loan repayments; collections capabilities and recoveries of previously written-off balances; and the impact of the usage of debt settlement companies;
•the actual amount to be spent on Card Member rewards and services and business development in 2026 and beyond, and the relationship of these variable customer engagement costs to revenues, which could be impacted by the investments and enhancements that the Company makes with respect to its value propositions, including its rewards programs and product benefits, such as in connection with card refreshes (e.g., benefits on the refreshed U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum Cards), to make them attractive to Card Members and prospective customers, potentially in a manner that is not cost-effective; changes in the level of Card Member spending and spending patterns (including the level of spend in bonus categories), the redemption of rewards and offers (including travel redemptions) and usage of travel-, lifestyle- and business-related benefits; the costs related to reward point redemptions; levels of Card Member acquisitions on premium card products; changes in the Company’s models or assumptions used to estimate these expenses; new and renegotiated contractual obligations with business partners; the Company’s ability to identify and negotiate partner-funded value for Card Members; and the pace and cost of the expansion of the Company’s global lounge collection;
•the actual amount the Company spends on marketing in 2026 and beyond and the effectiveness and efficiency of its marketing spending, which will be based in part on continued changes in the macroeconomic and competitive environment and business performance, including the levels of demand for the Company’s products; the Company’s ability to realize marketing efficiencies, including as a result of investments in its product value propositions and the use of technology, such as the personalization of offers, and balance expense control and investments in the business; management’s investment optimization process and its ability to develop premium value propositions and drive customer demand; management’s identification and assessment of attractive investment opportunities and its decisions regarding the timing of investments; and the receptivity of Card Members and prospective customers to advertising and customer acquisition initiatives;
•the Company’s ability to control operating expenses, including relative to revenue growth, which could be impacted by, among other things, salary and benefit expenses to attract and retain talent; the Company’s ability to realize operational efficiencies, including through increased scale and automation and continued adoption of artificial intelligence technologies; management’s ability to balance expense control and investments in the business, and its decisions regarding spending in such areas as technology, business and product development, sales force, premium servicing and AI initiatives; the Company’s ability to innovate efficient channels of customer interactions and the willingness of Card Members to self-service and address issues through digital channels; restructuring activity; fraud costs; inflation and supply chain issues; increased technology costs, including investments in technology innovations and system upgrades; expenses related to enterprise risk management and compliance and consulting, legal and other professional services fees, including as a result of the Company’s growth, litigation and internal and regulatory reviews; the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on costs; regulatory assessments; the level of M&A activity and related expenses; information security or cybersecurity incidents; the payment of fines, penalties, disgorgement, restitution, non-income tax assessments and litigation-related settlements; the performance of Amex Ventures and other of the Company’s investments; and impairments of goodwill or other assets;
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•the Company’s tax rate not remaining consistent with expectations, which could be impacted by, among other things, further changes in tax laws and regulation, the implementation by jurisdictions of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s global minimum tax guidelines (including safe harbors for U.S. multinational enterprises), the Company’s geographic mix of income, unfavorable tax audits, assessments and tax litigation outcomes, and the occurrence or nonoccurrence of other discrete tax items;
•changes affecting the Company’s plans regarding the return of capital to shareholders, which will depend on factors such as the Company’s capital levels and regulatory capital ratios; new rulemakings and guidance from the Federal Reserve and other banking regulators, including changes to regulatory capital requirements, such as from recent regulatory capital rule proposals, and changes to the tailoring of enhanced prudential standards applicable to banking organizations; results of operations and financial condition; credit ratings and rating agency considerations; results of the stress testing and capital planning process; and the economic environment and market conditions in any given period;
•changes in the substantial and increasing worldwide competition in the payments industry, including competitive pressure and competitor settlements that may materially impact the prices charged to merchants that accept American Express cards; merchant acceptance, surcharging, steering and other differential acceptance practices; the desirability of competitor premium card products and competition for partnerships and premium experiences, services and benefits; competition for new and existing cobrand relationships; the effects of the emergence of agentic commerce on the payments landscape and customer payment experiences; competition from new and non-traditional competitors, such as financial technology companies, and with respect to new products, services and technologies, such as the emergence or increase in popularity of digital payment platforms and currencies and other alternative payment mechanisms; competitor acquisitions and transactions; and the success of marketing, promotion, rewards programs, offers and travel-, lifestyle- and business-related benefits (e.g., lounges, dining, entertainment and business tools);
•the Company’s ability to sustain its momentum and leadership in the premium consumer space, including with Millennial and Gen-Z consumers, which will be impacted in part by competition, levels of consumer demand for premium card products, brand perceptions (including perceptions related to merchant coverage) and reputation, and the Company’s ability to successfully refresh its products and develop and market new benefits, services, experiences and other value propositions, as well as new AI and digital capabilities, that appeal to Card Members and new customers, grow spending with new and younger age cohort Card Members, offer attractive services and rewards programs and build greater customer loyalty, which will depend in part on identifying and funding investment opportunities, addressing changing customer behaviors, new product innovation and development, Card Member acquisition efforts and enrollment processes, including through digital channels, continuing to realize benefits from strategic partnerships, successfully implementing the Company’s dining strategy and evolving the Company’s infrastructure to support new products, services and benefits;
•the Company’s ability to build on its leadership in commercial payments and successfully roll out new commercial products and solutions in 2026, which will depend in part on competition, including from financial technology companies and as a result of competitor acquisitions and transactions; the willingness and ability of companies to use credit and charge cards for procurement and other business expenditures as well as use the Company’s other products and services for financing needs; the acceptance of, and economics related to, B2B payment platforms; the Company’s ability to successfully refresh its products and offer attractive value propositions and new products to current and potential customers, including through its new Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card and upcoming Corporate Cash Back Card, as well as new AI benefits and capabilities; the Company’s ability to enhance and expand its payment, lending, cash flow and expense management solutions, including the release of new expense management software in 2026, increase customer engagement, enhance the corporate card onboarding experience and build out a multi-product digital ecosystem to integrate its broad product set,
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which is dependent on the Company’s continued investment in capabilities, features, functionalities, platforms and technologies and the successful introduction of capabilities related to the Company’s Center acquisition; and the success of the Company’s initiatives to support businesses, such as Small Business Saturday and other Shop Small campaigns;
•the Company’s ability to successfully invest in, benefit from and expand the use of technological developments, generative AI, digital payments, servicing, travel, dining & expense management solutions and other technological capabilities and the actual amount the Company spends on technology in 2026 and beyond, which will depend in part on the Company’s success in advancing its agentic commerce initiatives, including embedding its payment capabilities in emerging AI ecosystems, such as through the Amex Agentic Commerce Experiences™ developer kit and Amex Agent Purchase Protection™, making Membership assets discoverable and actionable on AI platforms and building proprietary AI-powered experiences across its platforms; embedding AI into its business and increasing automation, including to streamline and improve internal processes and decision making, enhance the Company’s products, develop new capabilities and address servicing and other business and customer needs; developing new features in its applications and platforms and enhancing its digital channels; supporting the use of the Company’s products as a means of payment through online, mobile, agentic and other digital channels; building partnerships and executing programs with other companies; and effectively utilizing data and data & analytics platforms, including successfully migrating to new platforms, all of which will be impacted by investment levels, customer and colleague receptiveness and ability to adopt new technologies, partner engagement, new product innovation and development and the platforms and infrastructure to support new products, services, benefits and partner integrations;
•the Company’s ability to grow internationally, which could be impacted by regulation and business practices, such as those capping interchange or other fees, mandating network access or data localization, imposing greater requirements on payment networks, favoring local competitors or prohibiting or limiting foreign ownership of certain businesses; perceptions of the Company’s brand in international jurisdictions; the Company’s inability to successfully replicate aspects of its business model internationally and tailor products and services to make them attractive to local customers; competitors with more scale, local experience and established relationships with relevant customers, regulators and industry participants; the success of the Company and its network partners in acquiring Card Members and/or merchants; and geopolitical and economic instability, hostilities and tensions (such as the effects of the Middle East conflict), and impacts to cross-border trade and travel;
•the Company’s ability to successfully implement its dining strategy and grow its dining platform, which will depend in part on the Company’s ability to deliver value to diners, restaurants and other bookable venues; expand and innovate the tools and capabilities offered through the platform, including successfully integrating Tock into the Resy dining platform and developing AI-powered experiences in the Resy app; enable the search and booking of Resy venues through AI platforms; and successfully implement partnerships and compete with other dining platforms and means of booking reservations;
•a failure in or breach of the Company’s operational or security systems, processes or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or outages, which could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, privacy and/or security of data, disrupt the Company’s or its partners’ operations, reduce the use and acceptance of American Express cards or the Company’s digital platforms and lead to regulatory scrutiny, litigation, remediation and response costs and reputational harm;
•legal and regulatory developments, which could affect the profitability of the Company’s business activities; limit the Company’s ability to pursue business opportunities or conduct business in certain jurisdictions; require changes to business practices or governance, or alter the Company’s relationships with Card Members, partners, merchants and other third parties, including affecting its network operations and practices governing merchant acceptance; impact interest income, card fees and rewards programs; exert further pressure on merchant discount rates and the Company’s GNS business, as well
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as result in an increase in surcharging, steering or other differential acceptance practices; alter the competitive landscape; subject the Company to heightened regulatory scrutiny and result in increased costs related to regulatory oversight and compliance, litigation-related settlements, judgments or expenses, restitution to Card Members or the imposition of fines or monetary penalties; materially affect capital or liquidity requirements, results of operations or ability to pay dividends; or result in harm to the American Express brand; and
•factors beyond the Company’s control such as business, economic and geopolitical conditions, consumer and business confidence and spending generally, unemployment rates & wide-scale layoffs, market volatility, energy costs, impacts to travel, government shutdowns and other political developments, a continuation or further escalation or widening of the Middle East conflict or other military conflicts, regional hostilities and international tensions , adverse developments affecting third parties, including other financial institutions, merchants, partners or vendors, as well as severe weather conditions and natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes and wildfires), power loss, disruptions in telecommunications, pandemics, terrorism and other catastrophic events, any of which could significantly affect demand for and spending on American Express cards, credit metrics and reserves, customer balances, deposit levels and other aspects of the Company’s business and results of operations or disrupt its global network systems and ability to process transactions.
A further description of these uncertainties and other risks can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and the Company’s other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY | ||||||||
| (REGISTRANT) | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ James J. Killerlane III | |||||||
| Name: James J. Killerlane III | ||||||||
| Title: Corporate Secretary | ||||||||
Date: April 23, 2026
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EXHIBIT 99.1 | ||||||||
New York | April 23, 2026 | ||||||||
 | AMERICAN EXPRESS | |||||||
Q1 2026 RESULTS | ||||||||
AMERICAN EXPRESS DELIVERS STRONG Q1 RESULTS WITH REVENUE UP 11%, OR 10% FX-ADJUSTED1
EARNINGS PER SHARE OF $4.28 INCREASED 18%
CARD MEMBER SPEND GROWTH ACCELERATED TO 10%, OR 9% FX-ADJUSTED1
COMPANY REAFFIRMS FY 2026 REVENUE AND EPS GUIDANCE
(Millions, except per share amounts, and where indicated)
Quarters Ended March 31, | YoY% Inc/(Dec) | ||||||||||
2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||
Billed Business (Billions) FX-adjusted1 | $428.0 | $387.4 $393.6 | 10% 9% | ||||||||
Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense FX-adjusted1 | $18,907 | $16,967 $17,210 | 11% 10% | ||||||||
Net Income | $2,971 | $2,584 | 15% | ||||||||
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (EPS)2 | $4.28 | $3.64 | 18% | ||||||||
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding | 686 | 702 | (2)% | ||||||||
American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) today reported first-quarter 2026 net income of $3.0 billion, compared with net income of $2.6 billion a year ago. Earnings per share was $4.28, up 18 percent from $3.64 a year ago.
Stephen J. Squeri | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer “We had a very strong start to the year, reflecting continued momentum across our premium customer base and execution of our proven growth strategy. We delivered 10 percent FX-adjusted revenue growth and 18 percent EPS growth in the quarter. Card Member spending grew 9 percent FX-adjusted, the highest quarterly growth in three years, driven by strong demand and engagement with our premium products. Our credit performance remained excellent. “Our consistently strong performance reinforces that our strategy is working well, supported by our ongoing investments in growth initiatives. During the quarter, we continued to expand the access and experiences we provide across sports, a powerful engagement engine with our Card Members, becoming the Official Payments Partner of the NFL globally and extending our long-term partnership with the NBA. We also shared plans for the largest one-year expansion of our commercial product suite in our history, starting with the launch of our new Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card. And we continued to drive AI innovation with the announcement of the Amex Agentic Commerce Experiences developer kit and industry-first Agent Purchase Protection. “Given our strong results to date, we’re reaffirming our full-year 2026 guidance for 9 to 10 percent revenue growth and EPS of $17.30 to $17.90, and decided to increase our investments in marketing and technology to capitalize on long-term growth opportunities. With our differentiated Membership Model, fueled by our premium Card Members, world-class partners, and the innovations and services delivered by our talented colleagues, we are confident in our ability to deliver sustainable long-term growth.” | ||
1
AMERICAN EXPRESS Q1 2026 RESULTS
First-Quarter 2026 Results | Business Highlights | |||||||
First-quarter consolidated total revenues net of interest expense were $18.9 billion, up 11 percent year-over-year, or 10 percent on an FX-adjusted basis. The increase was primarily driven by higher Card Member spending, increased net interest income supported by growth in card balances, and strong card fee growth. Consolidated provisions for credit losses were $1.3 billion, compared with $1.2 billion a year ago. The increase reflected higher net write-offs and a lower reserve release compared to the prior year. The first-quarter net write-off rate was 2.0 percent, compared to 2.1 percent a year ago.3 Consolidated expenses were $13.9 billion, up 11 percent year-over-year. The increase was primarily driven by higher variable customer engagement costs due to increased Card Member spending, the U.S. Platinum Card refresh, and usage of travel- and lifestyle-related benefits, as well as higher operating expenses. The consolidated effective tax rate was 21.4 percent, down from 22.4 percent a year ago, primarily reflecting discrete tax benefits in the current quarter. | •American Express was named the Official Payments Partner of the NFL and announced a multi-year partnership extension with the NBA across league platforms, including the WNBA. •Kicking off a major expansion of integrated solutions for businesses of all sizes, the company launched the American Express Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card. •The company announced the Amex Agentic Commerce Experiences™ developer kit and industry-first Amex Agent Purchase Protection™. •Resy unveiled the next phase of its dining platform, including the planned integration of Resy and Tock venue networks. •American Express continues to expand the Centurion Lounge® network, opening new spaces in Las Vegas and New Delhi and announcing plans in three other locations. •The company ranked #4 on Great Place to Work’s® 2026 list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For® in the U.S. | |||||||
# # #
This earnings release should be read in conjunction with the supplemental financial data for the first quarter 2026 (the statistical tables), which include information regarding our reportable operating segments and certain defined terms used in this release, available on the American Express Investor Relations website at http://ir.americanexpress.com and in a Form 8-K furnished today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
An investor conference call will be held at 8:30 a.m. (ET) today to discuss first-quarter 2026 results. Live audio and presentation slides for the investor conference call will be available to the general public on the above-mentioned American Express Investor Relations website. A replay of the conference call will be available at the same website address following the call.
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AMERICAN EXPRESS Q1 2026 RESULTS
1 | As used in this release, FX-adjusted information assumes a constant exchange rate between the periods being compared for purposes of currency translations into U.S. dollars (i.e., assumes the foreign exchange rates used to determine results for current period apply to the corresponding prior-year period against which such results are being compared). FX-adjusted revenues is a non-GAAP measure. The company believes the presentation of information on an FX-adjusted basis is helpful to investors by making it easier to compare the company’s performance in one period to that of another period without the variability caused by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. | |||||||
2 | Attributable to common shareholders. Represents net income less earnings allocated to participating share awards and dividends on preferred shares. Refer to the statistical tables for more information. | |||||||
3 | Net write-off rates are based on principal losses only (i.e., excluding interest and/or fees) and represent consumer and small business card balances (net write-off rates based on principal losses only are unavailable for corporate). Refer to the statistical tables for more information and net write-off rates including interest and fees. | |||||||
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Media Contacts:
Amanda Miller, Amanda.C.Miller@aexp.com, +1.408.219.0563
Deniz Yigin, Deniz.Yigin@aexp.com, +1.332.999.0836
Investors/Analysts Contacts:
Kartik Ramachandran, Kartik.Ramachandran@aexp.com, +1.212.640.5574
Amanda Blumstein, Amanda.Blumstein@aexp.com, +1.212.640.5574
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express (NYSE: AXP) is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology. Our colleagues around the world back our customers with differentiated products, services, and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.
Founded in 1850 and headquartered in New York, American Express’ brand is built on trust, security, service, and a rich history of delivering innovation and Membership value for our customers. We seek to provide the world’s best customer experience every day to a broad range of consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and large corporations, and we build and manage relationships with millions of merchants across our global network.
For more information about American Express, visit americanexpress.com, americanexpress.com/en-us/newsroom/, and ir.americanexpress.com.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements, which address American Express Company’s current expectations regarding business and financial performance, including management’s guidance for 2026, among other matters, contain words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “likely,” “continue” and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, those that are set forth under the caption “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 23, 2026 (the Form 8-K Cautionary Note), which are incorporated by reference into this release. Those factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
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AMERICAN EXPRESS Q1 2026 RESULTS
•the company’s ability to achieve its 2026 earnings per common share (EPS) guidance and grow EPS in the future, which will depend in part on revenue growth, credit performance, credit reserve and expense levels and the effective tax rate remaining consistent with current expectations and the company’s ability to continue investing in growth initiatives (such as its brand, value propositions, coverage, marketing, technology, partnerships and talent), controlling operating expenses, effectively managing risk and executing its share repurchase program, any of which could be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified in the subsequent paragraphs and the Form 8-K Cautionary Note, as well as the following: macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, including a slowdown in U.S. or global economic growth, changes to consumer and business confidence, higher rates of unemployment and wide-scale layoffs, impacts of the Middle East conflict and other international hostilities and deteriorations in global trade, the effects of announced or future tariffs, changes in interest rates, inflation, supply chain issues, energy costs, market volatility, government shutdowns and fiscal and monetary policies; the effects of technology changes and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI); the impact of any future contingencies, including, but not limited to, legal costs and settlements, the imposition of fines or monetary penalties, increases in Card Member remediation, investment gains or losses, restructurings, impairments and changes in reserves; issues impacting brand perceptions and the company’s reputation; changes in the competitive environment and an inability to realize benefits from new and extended sponsorships; impacts related to acquisitions, cobrand relationships and other partners; and the impact of regulation and litigation, which could affect the profitability of the company’s business activities, limit the company’s ability to pursue business opportunities, require changes to business practices or alter the company’s relationships with Card Members, partners and merchants;
•the company’s ability to achieve its 2026 revenue growth guidance and grow revenues net of interest expense in the future, which could be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified above, in the subsequent paragraphs and in the Form 8-K Cautionary Note, as well as the following: spending volumes not being consistent with expectations, including spending by U.S. consumer and small & mid-sized business Card Members and airline and other travel & entertainment spending volumes, such as due to uncertain business and economic conditions, as well as geopolitical conditions; an inability to address competitive pressures, attract and retain customers, invest in and enhance the company’s Membership Model of premium products, differentiated services and partnerships, successfully refresh and introduce card products, grow spending and lending with customers across age cohorts (including Millennial and Gen-Z customers) and commercial segments and implement strategies and business initiatives, including within the premium consumer space, commercial payments and the global network; the impacts of portfolio sales; the effects of regulatory initiatives, including pricing regulation, such as pricing for card acceptance and potential credit card interest rate caps, and network regulation; merchant coverage growing less than expected or the reduction of merchant acceptance or perceptions of coverage; increased surcharging, steering, suppression or other differential acceptance practices with respect to the company’s products; merchant discount rates changing from the company’s expectations; and changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
•the actual amount the company spends on marketing in 2026 and beyond and the effectiveness and efficiency of its marketing spending, which will be based in part on continued changes in the macroeconomic and competitive environment and business performance, including the levels of demand for the company’s products; the company’s ability to realize marketing efficiencies, including as a result of investments in its product value propositions and the use of technology, such as the personalization of offers, and balance expense control and investments in the business; management’s investment optimization process and its ability to develop premium value propositions and drive customer demand; management’s identification and assessment of attractive investment opportunities and its decisions regarding the timing of investments; and the receptivity of Card Members and prospective customers to advertising and customer acquisition initiatives; and
•the company’s ability to successfully invest in, benefit from and expand the use of technological developments, generative AI, digital payments, servicing, travel, dining & expense management solutions and other technological capabilities and the actual amount the company spends on technology in 2026 and beyond, which will depend in part on the company’s success in advancing its agentic commerce initiatives, including embedding its payment capabilities in emerging AI ecosystems, such as through the Amex Agentic Commerce Experiences™ developer kit and Amex Agent Purchase Protection™, making Membership assets discoverable and actionable on AI platforms and building proprietary AI-powered experiences across its platforms; embedding AI into its business and increasing automation, including to streamline and improve internal processes and decision making, enhance the company’s products, develop new capabilities and address servicing and other business and customer needs; developing new features in its applications and platforms and enhancing its digital channels; supporting the use of the company’s products as a means of payment through online, mobile, agentic and other digital channels; building partnerships and executing programs with other companies; and effectively utilizing data and data & analytics platforms, including successfully migrating to new platforms, all of which will be impacted by investment levels, customer and colleague receptiveness and ability to adopt new technologies, partner engagement, new product innovation and development and the platforms and infrastructure to support new products, services, benefits and partner integrations.
A further description of these uncertainties and other risks can be found in American Express Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and the company’s other reports filed with the SEC, including in the Form 8-K Cautionary Note.
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FAQ
How did American Express (AXP) perform financially in Q1 2026?
American Express delivered strong Q1 2026 results, with total revenues net of interest expense of $18.9 billion, up 11% year-over-year. Net income reached $2.97 billion and diluted EPS was $4.28, an 18% increase, reflecting higher spending, net interest income and card fees.
What were American Express (AXP) billed business and network volumes in Q1 2026?
In Q1 2026, American Express reported billed business of $428.0 billion, up 10% year-over-year, and network volumes of $486.3 billion, up 11%. These increases show continued growth in Card Member spending across consumer, commercial and international segments.
How did credit quality and provisions trend for American Express in Q1 2026?
American Express recorded $1.25 billion in provisions for credit losses in Q1 2026, up 9% year-over-year. The overall net write-off rate including interest and fees was 2.3%, while the consumer and small business principal-only net write-off rate was 2.0%, indicating stable credit performance.
What were American Express (AXP) expenses and profitability metrics in Q1 2026?
Total expenses were $13.9 billion in Q1 2026, up 11% year-over-year, driven by higher rewards, services and operating costs. Despite this, return on average equity was 35.2% and return on average common equity reached 36.6%, reflecting strong profitability.
Did American Express reaffirm its 2026 guidance in this filing?
Yes. American Express explicitly reaffirmed its full-year 2026 revenue and EPS guidance in connection with the Q1 2026 results. This means management maintains its previously communicated outlook for both top-line growth and earnings per share for the 2026 fiscal year.
What dividend and capital ratios did American Express report for Q1 2026?
For Q1 2026, American Express declared a cash dividend of $0.95 per common share, up from $0.82 a year earlier. The company reported a Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 10.5% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 9.7%, underscoring solid regulatory capital levels.