NYSE$AXP
American Express CO · Q4 2021 earnings
Q4 2021 earnings · · Investor relations
Briefing
American Express reported strong fourth-quarter revenue increase driven by record card member spending.
American Express reported a strong fourth quarter with a 30% increase in revenue to $12.1 billion. Earnings per share were $2.18, and the company raised its long-term aspiration with a new growth plan.
- Delivered strong fourth-quarter and full-year results that exceeded expectations.
- Reached record levels of Card Member spending.
- Maintained customer retention and satisfaction above pre-pandemic levels.
- Increased new Card acquisitions and grew loan balances.
Headline financials
Revenue & EPS history
American Express · Revenue · Quarterly
$12.1B
Revenue by segment
American Express · $13.5B total across 3 segments · Q3 2023
- U.S. Consumer$7.2B+16.1%53.3%
- Commercial$3.7B+5.7%27.4%
- International Cards$2.6B+13.0%19.3%
Forward guidance
American Express expects to generate elevated levels of revenue growth in 2022 in the range of 18 to 20 percent and earnings per share of $9.25 to $9.65. Longer term, as the economy reaches a steady state, their aspiration is to achieve revenue growth in excess of 10 percent and EPS growth in the mid-teens.
Tailwinds
- Generate elevated levels of revenue growth in 2022 in the range of 18 to 20 percent.
- Earnings per share of $9.25 to $9.65.
- Achieve revenue growth in excess of 10 percent longer term.
- Achieve EPS growth in the mid-teens longer term.
- Increase the regular quarterly dividend on its common shares outstanding by approximately 20 percent, from 43 cents to 52 cents per share beginning with the first quarter 2022.
Headwinds
- The extent and duration of the effect of the pandemic on the economy.
- Inflation, consumer confidence, consumer and business spending.
- Continued stress on businesses due to containment measures, operational changes, supply chain issues and staffing shortages.
- Impacts related to new or renegotiated cobrand and other partner agreements.
- Impact of regulation and litigation.
Historical earnings impact
How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.
Avg. return before/after earnings
Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q4 2021
+0.1%
Avg return
Earnings day
+1.0%
Avg return
5 days after
+3.3%
Avg return
30 days after
45%
33 / 73 earnings
Positive
+11.2%
Q3 2016
Best reaction
-12.6%
Q4 2015
Worst reaction
| Quarter | Report date | Reaction (Day 0) | +5 days | +30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | -3.8% | -5.1% | -6.3% | |
| Q4 2025 | -1.1% | -1.3% | -13.8% | |
| Q3 2025 | +7.2% | +8.9% | +10.5% | |
| Q2 2025 | +0.3% | -0.3% | +6.0% | |
| Q1 2025 | -0.6% | -0.2% | +18.5% | |
| Q4 2024 | -1.4% | -3.3% | -9.4% | |
| Q3 2024 | -5.3% | -5.1% | +0.4% | |
| Q2 2024 | -1.8% | -3.3% | +1.0% | |
| Q1 2024 | +7.1% | +9.9% | +11.6% | |
| Q4 2023 | +6.8% | +6.7% | +14.1% | |
| Q3 2023 | -3.4% | -4.1% | +8.6% | |
| Q2 2023 | -5.3% | -5.3% | -9.5% | |
| Q1 2023 | -0.7% | -5.4% | -7.3% | |
| Q4 2022 | +10.8% | +11.4% | +11.8% | |
| Q3 2022 | -0.6% | +3.1% | +7.1% | |
| Q2 2022 | +2.4% | +1.0% | +8.0% | |
| Q1 2022 | -0.9% | -4.4% | -17.5% | |
| Q4 2021 | +10.3% | +11.4% | +18.5% | |
| Q3 2021 | +2.7% | +0.3% | -2.2% | |
| Q2 2021 | +1.0% | -0.5% | -6.5% | |
| Q1 2021 | +2.2% | +3.7% | +6.6% | |
| Q4 2020 | -5.8% | -4.0% | +13.1% | |
| Q3 2020 | -7.5% | -12.6% | +7.4% | |
| Q2 2020 | -0.9% | +0.0% | -0.5% | |
| Q1 2020 | +3.2% | +16.6% | +8.3% | |
| Q4 2019 | -0.6% | +0.2% | +2.7% | |
| Q3 2019 | -0.0% | -2.2% | +1.4% | |
| Q2 2019 | -1.9% | -0.4% | -2.9% | |
| Q1 2019 | +0.5% | +2.0% | +6.5% | |
| Q4 2018 | +1.1% | +0.4% | +8.0% | |
| Q3 2018 | +2.3% | +0.0% | +4.9% | |
| Q2 2018 | -1.0% | +0.1% | +1.9% | |
| Q1 2018 | +9.1% | +7.2% | +7.6% | |
| Q4 2017 | -2.7% | -2.8% | -3.9% | |
| Q3 2017 | +0.2% | +0.8% | +2.2% | |
| Q2 2017 | -0.2% | -0.6% | -0.2% | |
| Q1 2017 | +5.6% | +6.1% | +1.3% | |
| Q4 2016 | -1.7% | -0.1% | +2.9% | |
| Q3 2016 | +11.2% | +11.7% | +18.2% | |
| Q2 2016 | -1.1% | +0.3% | +2.1% | |
| Q1 2016 | +3.2% | — | — | |
| Q4 2015 | -12.6% | — | — | |
| Q3 2015 | -5.8% | — | — | |
| Q2 2015 | -2.5% | — | — | |
| Q1 2015 | -3.0% | — | — | |
| Q4 2014 | -3.3% | — | — | |
| Q3 2014 | -3.0% | — | — | |
| Q2 2014 | -1.0% | — | — | |
| Q1 2014 | +0.2% | — | — | |
| Q4 2013 | +3.1% | — | — | |
| Q3 2013 | +6.6% | — | — | |
| Q2 2013 | -5.4% | — | — | |
| Q1 2013 | +0.7% | — | — | |
| Q4 2012 | +1.6% | — | — | |
| Q3 2012 | -1.7% | — | — | |
| Q2 2012 | -4.2% | — | — | |
| Q1 2012 | -1.0% | — | — | |
| Q4 2011 | +2.9% | — | — | |
| Q3 2011 | +5.5% | — | — | |
| Q2 2011 | -3.5% | — | — | |
| Q1 2011 | -1.2% | — | — | |
| Q4 2010 | -0.9% | — | — | |
| Q3 2010 | +3.2% | — | — | |
| Q2 2010 | -1.4% | — | — | |
| Q1 2009 | -7.3% | — | — | |
| Q1 2010 | +1.0% | — | — | |
| Q4 2009 | +0.2% | — | — | |
| Q3 2009 | -2.1% | — | — | |
| Q3 2008 | -2.1% | — | — | |
| Q4 2007 | +1.5% | — | — | |
| Q2 2008 | +1.5% | — | — | |
| Q2 2009 | +1.5% | — | — | |
| Q4 2008 | +1.5% | — | — |
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