AMERICAN EXPRESS CANADA AND DMZ REINTRODUCE GRANT PROGRAM TO ASSIST CANADIAN SMALL BUSINESSES
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy AXP?
Source: moomoo
Grant Program Overview: American Express Canada and DMZ have launched a grant program aimed at supporting Canadian small businesses.
Focus on Small Businesses: The initiative is designed to provide financial assistance and resources to help small businesses thrive in a challenging economic environment.
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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: 315.900
Low
280.00
Averages
379.06
High
425.00
Current: 315.900
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.
- Significant Performance Growth: In Q1 2026, American Express reported an 11% year-over-year revenue increase, surpassing management's 10% target, while earnings per share (EPS) rose 18% to $4.28, demonstrating the company's robust performance amid economic volatility and boosting investor confidence.
- Stable Customer Base: Among the 3.1 million new cardholders, 66% are millennials and Gen Z, with 73% holding fee-based cards, indicating the company's success in attracting younger consumers and maintaining high retention rates, which will drive future spending growth.
- Strong High-End Market Performance: Customer spending in American Express's fine hotels and resorts surged 50% year-over-year, significantly outpacing the 5% growth in overall U.S. consumer lodging sales, showcasing its strong appeal in the luxury spending sector and further solidifying its top rewards program.
- Investment Opportunity Emerges: Despite a 15% drop in stock price due to management's decision not to raise the full-year outlook, the current price-to-earnings ratio below 20 presents a favorable buying opportunity for investors, especially given its status as a favorite among renowned investors like Warren Buffett, indicating its blue-chip value potential.
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- Earnings Surprise: Visa's second-quarter profit exceeded expectations, leading to a 5% rise in premarket trading, indicating strong consumer spending despite heightened economic uncertainty in the Middle East.
- Cross-Border Payment Growth: The company's cross-border payment volume rose 12% year-over-year on a constant-dollar basis in Q2, down from 13% last year, reflecting resilience in global trade and travel, which analysts are closely monitoring.
- Share Repurchase Program: Visa's board authorized a new $20 billion multi-year share repurchase program, demonstrating the company's capability to invest in organic growth and acquisitions while maintaining a balanced capital allocation strategy.
- Market Performance: Although Visa shares have declined about 12% so far in 2026, they still outperform American Express, with analysts noting the company's strong growth potential supported by multiple self-reinforcing levers.
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- High Investment Concentration: Over 50% of Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio is concentrated in Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola, all of which generate stable cash flows, demonstrating resilience in the face of economic uncertainty.
- Significant Brand Value: Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola are globally recognized brands, with Apple consistently ranking high in brand value and American Express leading the Small Business Credit Card Satisfaction Study for five consecutive years, highlighting their strong market positions.
- Strong Pricing Power: These companies possess robust pricing power; Apple's loyal customer base and American Express's affluent clientele allow them to maintain profitability amid inflation, while Coca-Cola's ubiquitous beverages ensure steady sales.
- Long-Term Investment Strategy: Under CEO Greg Abel's leadership, Berkshire continues to adhere to Buffett's investment philosophy, with Abel emphasizing the long-term holding of these three stocks, indicating a commitment to concentrated investments that ensure compounded growth over the coming decades.
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- Portfolio Stability: Under Abel's leadership, over 50% of Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio remains concentrated in the 'forever' stocks of Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola, demonstrating the company's long-term trust and stable investment strategy in these 'wonderful businesses.'
- Predictable Cash Flows: Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola generate predictable cash flows, making them ideal inflation-resistant investments that Abel seeks, ensuring Berkshire's financial stability amid inflation and economic uncertainty.
- Brand Strength: These companies possess strong brand equity, with Apple ranked among the world's most valuable brands, American Express topping the Small Business Credit Card Satisfaction Study for five consecutive years, and Coca-Cola being one of the most recognized beverage brands globally, enhancing their market competitiveness.
- Dividend Growth Potential: Coca-Cola, as Berkshire's longest-held stock, has increased its dividends for 64 consecutive years, earning the title of 'Dividend King,' which not only provides investors with stable cash flow but also reflects the company's strong profitability and long-term growth potential.
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- Investment Return Performance: As of April 24, American Express shares have generated a total return of 131% over the past five years, demonstrating strong performance in the payments sector and attracting investor interest.
- Valuation Risk Warning: Currently trading at a P/E ratio of 19.6, American Express has seen a 24% decline in the past four months, yet this multiple aligns with its trailing three-, five-, and ten-year averages, indicating that its valuation is not cheap.
- Robust Financial Performance: Amid heightened economic uncertainty, American Express reported an 11% increase in net revenue and an 18% rise in diluted earnings per share year-over-year for Q1, showcasing its strong brand appeal and customer spending capacity.
- Market Opportunity Assessment: Despite existing valuation risks, American Express is trading 18% below its record high, suggesting that the investment opportunity presented by the market may outweigh potential valuation risks, making it a consideration for investors to buy shares.
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- Strong Earnings Report: American Express reported a 15% year-over-year increase in net income to nearly $3 billion for Q1 2026, with revenue net of interest expense rising 11% to $18.9 billion, indicating resilience amid economic challenges.
- Robust Spending Trends: CEO Stephen Squeri highlighted an 18% growth in luxury retail spending and a 12% increase in premium airline cabin expenditures, demonstrating that the affluent customer base remains unaffected by rising oil prices, thereby reinforcing the company's market position.
- Record Travel Bookings: The company achieved record levels of travel bookings, reflecting strong consumer demand for travel, although the potential impact of higher oil prices on everyday goods and travel costs has yet to be fully realized.
- Cautious Market Reaction: Despite the strong performance, investors remain cautious, with shares down 14% in 2026, indicating concerns about the potential effects of sustained high oil prices on consumer spending.
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