Credit Card Companies Face Bipartisan Pressure
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 13 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Political Pressure Intensifies: Amid persistent inflation, Trump and Sanders have found common ground in seeking to lower credit card annual percentage rates, with Trump proposing a 10% cap and Sanders advocating for a permanent 15% cap, potentially reshaping the profitability of credit card companies.
- Cautious Industry Response: Major credit card issuers like Capital One are in a holding pattern amidst political rhetoric, fearing that if a cap is implemented, they will be compelled to cut credit lines, adversely affecting credit access for lower-income households.
- Profitability at Risk: Analysts predict that a long-term rate cap could reduce Capital One's earnings per share by 25% or wipe them out entirely, as credit card operations account for approximately 74% of its total revenue, primarily derived from interest on customer balances.
- Acquisition Impact Significant: Capital One's $35 billion acquisition of Discover last year will be affected by any interest rate limits, as Discover's credit card balances will also be impacted, further diminishing Capital One's competitive edge, especially without a robust payment network.
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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: 303.150
Low
280.00
Averages
379.06
High
425.00
Current: 303.150
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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- Buyback Strategy Adjustment: Although the company has not repurchased shares for six straight quarters, it began buying back stock earlier this month, indicating a reassessment of current stock prices, particularly as the price-to-book ratio has decreased from 1.8 to 1.4.
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See More
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- Stock Trading Strategy: The company has been a net seller for the 13th consecutive quarter, primarily raising funds through sales of Apple and Bank of America stocks, indicating a cautious approach to these holdings, while Apple remains its largest investment, reflecting stability in its long-term investment strategy.
- Stock Buyback Decision: Berkshire has not repurchased any shares for six consecutive quarters, although it has recently begun to reconsider its buyback strategy, indicating a more cautious approach to assessing the intrinsic value of its stock, especially with the current P/B ratio at 1.4.
- Impact of Management Changes: New CEO Abel emphasizes the importance of patience and risk management, and while investors express frustration over the company's inaction, he believes that maintaining discipline and a prudent investment strategy is wise in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
See More
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See More
