Fact based stock research
American Express (NYSE:AXP)
US0258161092
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For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".
Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".
Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.
Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.
(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).
(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.
American Express stock research in summary
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 30 (worse than 70% compared with investment alternatives), American Express (Consumer Finance, USA) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of American Express are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 15 (worse than 85% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 53) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 52, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 30, is a hold recommendation based on American Express's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company American Express exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 15), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 53). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 52) are a double-edged sword: if the company continues growing, low debt limits shareholder returns. But if the company increases its debt, it will also increase risk. In other words, this is an investment on the safer side, despite the above-average price (low value). Obermatt Premium subscribers can further check the stock’s Sentiment Ranks, which also flow into the Obermatt 360° View for investors. ...read more
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360° Viewnew| Country | USA |
| Industry | Consumer Finance |
| Index | Dow Jones, Diversity USA, Renewables Users, S&P 500 |
| Size class | XX-Large |
This stock has achievements: Top 10 Stock.
14-Nov-2024. Stock data may be delayed. Log in or sign up to get the most recent research.
Analysts rarely agree on a stock’s future. So, who do you believe? Obermatt translates those collective views into a single Sentiment Rank. That plus the financial ranks give you the ultimate 360° View. Sign up to access them.
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Review the performance ranks of the individual metrics that form each investment strategy.
Research History: American Express
| RESEARCH HISTORY | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 24 |
|
23 |
|
26 |
|
15 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 81 |
|
79 |
|
69 |
|
53 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 97 |
|
59 |
|
50 |
|
52 |
|
| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
81 |
|
88 |
|
new |
|
| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | n/a |
|
85 |
|
74 |
|
new |
|
Combined financial peformance in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 30 (worse than 70% compared with investment alternatives), American Express (Consumer Finance, USA) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of American Express are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 15 (worse than 85% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 53) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 52, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 30, is a hold recommendation based on American Express's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company American Express exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 15), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 53). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 52) are a double-edged sword: if the company continues growing, low debt limits shareholder returns. But if the company increases its debt, it will also increase risk. In other words, this is an investment on the safer side, despite the above-average price (low value). Obermatt Premium subscribers can further check the stock’s Sentiment Ranks, which also flow into the Obermatt 360° View for investors. ...read more
| RESEARCH HISTORY | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 24 |
|
23 |
|
26 |
|
15 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 81 |
|
79 |
|
69 |
|
53 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 97 |
|
59 |
|
50 |
|
52 |
|
| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 85 |
|
57 |
|
45 |
|
30 |
|
Value Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 15 (worse than 85% compared with alternatives), American Express shares are significantly more expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with all four indicators below average for American Express. Price-to-Sales is 35 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 65% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning American Express's sales levels. Price-to-Book Capital (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) also has a low Price-to-Book Rank of 8, which means that both reliable company size indicators, sales, and invested capital cannot explain the high stock price of American Express. In addition, the two profit-related value indicators, Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a low rank of 28 and Dividend Yield, which is lower than 53% of comparable companies, also make the stock more expensive compared with investment alternatives. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 15, is a sell recommendation based on American Express's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. How can market participants pay such a high price for American Express? One reason may be that the company is simply too popular. If enough people want a particular stock, its price can exceed reasonable levels. This is often the case for companies offering new and exciting products and everybody wants a piece of the action. Should you pay a lot for a hot stock such as American Express? It's risky, and even if the stock price continues to grow because of popular demand, it may return to more typical lower levels later. And that return can be sudden and quick, making it impossible for retail investors to exit on time. Sometimes, high prices are deserved. This is the case when it is justified to believe that the company will dominate a market with high profit margins. It has happened in the past for many technology companies and indeed for commercially successful pharmaceutical discoveries. Sometimes they last, sometimes, they get eaten alive. American Express may be such a type of stock. That would mean, retail investors should be careful, only considering investing a small part of their wealth in this exciting category and always being ready to lose more than half, if not all of the investment. We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision, which is essential in this case, as the financial indicators are inconclusive. ...read more
| VALUE METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | 26 |
|
48 |
|
55 |
|
35 |
|
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | 32 |
|
19 |
|
34 |
|
28 |
|
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | 14 |
|
13 |
|
10 |
|
8 |
|
| DIVIDEND YIELD | ||||||||
| DIVIDEND YIELD | 55 |
|
51 |
|
49 |
|
47 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | 24 |
|
23 |
|
26 |
|
15 |
|
Growth Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 53 (better than 53% compared with alternatives), American Express shows an above-average growth dynamic in its industry. Investors also speak of positive momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with all but one indicator above average for American Express. Sales Growth has a rank of 51 which means that currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 51% of its competitors. Both Profit Growth, with a rank of 55, and Stock Returns, with a rank of 81, are also above average. But Capital Growth only has a rank of 14, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital less than 86% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 53, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. That may be a good sign if the company is already well positioned and doesn't require more investments at this time. They may focus on growing the top (revenues) and bottom (profits) lines, recently rewarded with above-average stock returns for shareholders. But it may also be a sign of danger as the company is falling back with capital investment activities concerning competition. This requires further analysis of corporate communications. While momentum is a popular investment factor, the value aspect might be the more important one, in the longer term. We recommend analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks to arrive at a 360° View of the stock purchase case. ...read more
| GROWTH METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVENUE GROWTH | ||||||||
| REVENUE GROWTH | 81 |
|
75 |
|
57 |
|
51 |
|
| PROFIT GROWTH | ||||||||
| PROFIT GROWTH | 60 |
|
85 |
|
63 |
|
55 |
|
| CAPITAL GROWTH | ||||||||
| CAPITAL GROWTH | n/a |
|
6 |
|
77 |
|
14 |
|
| STOCK RETURNS | ||||||||
| STOCK RETURNS | 54 |
|
69 |
|
51 |
|
81 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | 81 |
|
79 |
|
69 |
|
53 |
|
Safety Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 52 (better than 52% compared with alternatives), the company American Express has financing practices on the safer side, which mean that their overall debt burden is lower than average. This doesn't mean that the business of American Express is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with just one indicator above average for American Express and the other two below average. Refinancing is at 81, meaning the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 81% of its competitors. But Leverage is high with a rank of 13, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 87% of its competitors. Liquidity is also on the riskier side with a rank of 33, meaning the company generates less profit to service its debt than 67% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 52 (better than 52% compared with alternatives), American Express has a financing structure that is safer than that of its competitors. A good Refinancing Rank means that the problems of the company may not be around the corner. But high Leverage is only good if things go well, and low Liquidity is a signal for caution. The financing signals for American Express are on the riskier side, requiring the company's future to be on the safer side. Investors may want to look at Growth and Sentiment ranks before making an investment decision. In the long-term, investors may have a debt challenge with American Express and should also compare Obermatt’s Value, Growth, and Sentiment Ranks before making a decision. ...read more
| SAFETY METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 86 |
|
21 |
|
10 |
|
13 |
|
| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 81 |
|
75 |
|
79 |
|
81 |
|
| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 69 |
|
30 |
|
42 |
|
33 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 97 |
|
59 |
|
50 |
|
52 |
|
Sentiment Metrics in Detail
| SENTIMENT | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANALYST OPINIONS | ||||||||
| ANALYST OPINIONS | n/a |
|
40 |
|
58 |
|
new |
|
| OPINIONS CHANGE | ||||||||
| OPINIONS CHANGE | n/a |
|
69 |
|
72 |
|
new |
|
| PRO HOLDINGS | ||||||||
| PRO HOLDINGS | n/a |
|
37 |
|
65 |
|
new |
|
| MARKET PULSE | ||||||||
| MARKET PULSE | n/a |
|
86 |
|
73 |
|
new |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
81 |
|
88 |
|
new |
|
Free stock analysis by the purely fact based Obermatt Method for American Express from November 14, 2024.
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