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American Express Company operates within the financial sector, specifically in the payments and credit services subsector, and is recognized as one of the most established global institutions in financial services. The company was founded by Henry Wells, William G. Fargo, and John Warren Butterfield, originally linked to the express transportation business.
There is no record of direct governmental control at its inception; it emerged as a private enterprise designed to meet the growing need for rapid transport of valuables, documents, and sensitive correspondence in the nineteenth century.
Its core products and services include credit and charge cards, payment processing solutions, travel services, loyalty programs, corporate expense management, and financial services for both individual and business clients.
The company’s operating market is international, with extensive operations across the United States and a strong presence in dozens of countries. Activities span consumer services, corporate solutions, and the global network of merchants that accept American Express.
The competitive landscape includes large payment companies, card issuers, and independent networks. Objective market factors include the need for large-scale processing technology, stringent regulatory requirements, exposure to shifts in credit risk, and the pursuit of differentiation through loyalty programs and strategic partnerships.
American Express is a large-scale corporation, employing more than 75,000 employees worldwide and serving a diversified base of customers, merchants, and travel partners.
Its operational structure includes headquarters in New York City, dedicated divisions for consumer services, corporate solutions, merchant relationships, travel services, and rewards programs. The company maintains an integrated model across issuing, processing, and merchant services.
American Express is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker AXP, which is its sole trading code.
History and Foundation
American Express was founded on March 18, 1850, in Buffalo, New York, resulting from the merger of three express transport companies: Wells & Company, Livingston, Fargo & Company, and Wells, Butterfield & Company.
In its early years, the company focused on transporting valuables, gold, financial documents, and important correspondence, building a reputation for reliability throughout the northeastern United States.
By the late nineteenth century, the company began transitioning toward financial services. In 1882, it introduced money orders, and in 1891 launched its traveler’s cheques, expanding its international presence with offices established across Europe.
The express transportation sector was nationalized in 1918, prompting the company to focus exclusively on financial and travel-related services. One of its most significant milestones occurred in 1958, when it launched the first American Express payment card, marking its formal entry into the card market.
Over the following decades, the company broadened its range of services, incorporating insurance products, corporate solutions, global payment systems, and expansive loyalty programs.
Between 2020 and 2024, the company advanced in digital product offerings, strengthened its international operations, modernized its payment platforms, and adjusted its cost structure to address rising competition and evolving global financial regulations.
Additional Information
The Company American Express Company (United States), is listed on NYSE with a market cap of $ 244.20 Billions, having an equity of $ 32.42 Billions.
With a total of 63.700 employees, the company is listed in the sector of Financial and categorized in industry of Consumer Financial Services.
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ 70.43 Billions, which generated a profit in the amount of $ 10.54 Billions.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of 23.17, a P/BV ratio of 7.53 and in the last 12 months the dividend yield of AXP was at 0.90%.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker AXP.
