American Express Faces Price Target Cut Amid Strong Earnings Outlook
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 23 2026
0mins
Should l Buy AXP?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
American Express Co (AXP) has seen its stock price decline by 3.00%, hitting a 20-day low amid broader market weakness, with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.67% and the S&P 500 down 0.29%.
The decline follows an analyst's price target adjustment, with Evercore ISI lowering the target from $400 to $393 while maintaining an In Line rating. Despite this, American Express projected strong earnings per share between $17.30 and $17.90 for 2026, exceeding analysts' average estimate of $17.41. The company is successfully attracting younger affluent customers, with spending by Gen Z and millennials surpassing that of Gen X for the first time, indicating a positive long-term trend.
This price target cut reflects updated earnings expectations but does not overshadow the company's strong appeal among high-income consumers, who continue to spend robustly despite broader economic challenges.
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Analyst Views on AXP
Wall Street analysts forecast AXP stock price to rise
21 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
12 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 318.690
Low
280.00
Averages
379.06
High
425.00
Current: 318.690
Low
280.00
Averages
379.06
High
425.00
About AXP
American Express Company is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology. Its card-issuing, merchant-acquiring and card network businesses offer products and services to a broad range of customers, including consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies and large corporations around the world. Its range of products and services includes credit and charge cards and complementary products and services, including travel, dining, lifestyle and expense management products and services; banking and other payment and financing products and services, including deposits and non-card lending; merchant acquisition and processing, servicing and settlement, fraud prevention, and point-of-sale marketing and information products and services, and network services. These products and services are offered through various channels, including mobile and online applications, affiliate marketing, customer referral programs, third-party service providers, and business partners.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Earnings Per Share Increase: Adjusted EPS grew 20% to $3.31, surpassing consensus forecasts by $0.22, reflecting effective cost management and profitability, which boosts investor confidence in its future performance.
- Business Model Advantage: Visa's partnership model with banks rather than issuing its own cards allows for rapid expansion and the introduction of value-added services like cybersecurity and data analytics, enhancing its competitive edge and customer stickiness.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Despite facing inflation and regulatory pressures, Visa raised its full-year revenue and EPS guidance and launched a $20 billion share repurchase program, with expected revenue and EPS growth rates of 11% and 18% CAGR from fiscal 2025 to 2028.
See More
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- High-End Consumer Spending Rebounds: Despite economic pressures, restaurant and airline spending rose by 9% and 8% respectively, indicating the continued strong purchasing power of affluent customers, which further solidifies American Express's market position.
- Stable Outlook: While the market remains cautious about future marketing and technology expenditures, American Express still anticipates revenue growth of 9% to 10% by 2026, reflecting management's confidence in the company's long-term growth prospects.
- Investor Caution: Despite strong performance, the stock price fell due to failure to raise future guidance, highlighting a gap between investor expectations for future growth and the company's actual projections.
See More
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- Affluent Customer Spending: Despite a challenging economic backdrop, spending from affluent customers remained robust, with restaurant spending up 9% and airline spending up 8%, indicating the strength of American Express's customer base during economic fluctuations.
- Future Growth Outlook: The company anticipates revenue growth between 9% and 10% for 2026, with earnings per share projected between $17.30 and $17.90; although the market was disappointed by the lack of an upward revision, it still reflects stable growth potential.
- Investor Confidence Recovery: Despite a decline in stock price following the earnings report, investor confidence appears to be gradually returning as the market recognizes the company's long-term performance capabilities, indicating American Express's ability to perform well across various economic environments.
See More
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- Historical Investment Returns: Buffett first bought Coca-Cola in 1988 and American Express in 1963, and these long-held stocks have significantly appreciated over decades, becoming key pillars of Berkshire's portfolio, showcasing his investment foresight and patience.
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See More
