American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. The company's products and services include credit card, charge card, banking, and other payment and financing products; network services; expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services. It also provides merchant acquisition and processing, servicing and settlement, point-of-sale marketing, and information products and services for merchants; and fraud prevention services, as well as the design and operation of customer loyalty programs. In addition, the company operates lounges at airports under Centurion Lounge brand name. It sells its products and services to consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies, and large corporations through mobile and online applications, affiliate marketing, customer referral programs, third-party service providers and business partners, direct mail, telephone, in-house sales teams, and direct response advertising. American Express Company was founded in 1850 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

American Express Company

An Anthropic IPO Could Be Here Sooner Than We Thought!

Among the underlying components of the S&P 500 index, we saw noteworthy options trading volume today in Walt Disney Co. (Symbol: DIS), where a total of 73,576 contracts have traded so far, representing approximately 7.4 million underlying shares. That amounts to about 55.4% of DIS's average daily trading volume over the past month of 13.3 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $95 strike put option expiring December 19, 2025, with 10,020 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 1.0 million underlying shares of DIS. Below is a chart showing DIS's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $95 strike highlighted in orange:
Applovin Corp (Symbol: APP) saw options trading volume of 22,053 contracts, representing approximately 2.2 million underlying shares or approximately 54.5% of APP's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 4.0 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $600 strike put option expiring January 16, 2026, with 1,105 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 110,500 underlying shares of APP. Below is a chart showing APP's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $600 strike highlighted in orange:
And American Express Co. (Symbol: AXP) options are showing a volume of 13,710 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 1.4 million underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 54.1% of AXP's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 2.5 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $420 strike call option expiring January 16, 2026, with 4,607 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 460,700 underlying shares of AXP. Below is a chart showing AXP's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $420 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for DIS options, APP options, or AXP options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Also see:
Preferred Stock Newsletters
FLG Dividend Growth Rate
Institutional Holders of EWV
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Noteworthy Thursday Option Activity: DIS, APP, AXP

Visa Inc. V is sharpening its competitive edge in the Asia Pacific region with a new collaboration between Collinson International and On-us that aims to provide seamless access to over 1,800 airport lounges and travel experiences. By leveraging Collinson’s extensive LoungeKey network alongside On-us’ innovative Smart E-voucher technology, eligible Visa cardholders can enjoy instant lounge access right after making a qualifying transaction. Cardholders will receive a digital LoungeKey Pass redemption link via SMS or email that generates a unique QR code for lounge entry without any additional registration or membership.
This real-time automation comes at a time when travel demand in the Asia Pacific is rebounding with enthusiasm. Also, cardholders are increasingly prioritizing travel-linked benefits over traditional rewards. According to Collinson’s research, airport lounge access stands out as the most influential perk in travel-related credit card benefits.
For banks and issuers, this partnership boosts the value proposition of premium rewards, helping to drive higher transaction volumes and foster a stronger connection with cardholders. This move also highlights V’s continued push toward embedded, experience-driven value in the payments landscape.
By transforming every eligible Visa transaction into easy, QR-enabled travel benefits, the company is deepening its connection with frequent travelers, a high-value segment known for strong spending and cross-border activity. This collaboration allows V to tap into the growing demand for travel-related services while providing a smoother and more rewarding experience for its cardholders.
How Are Competitors Faring?
Some of V’s competitors in the payments space include Mastercard Incorporated MA and American Express Company AXP.
Mastercard is expanding its appeal to younger consumers by forming strong partnerships in travel and providing exciting rewards and travel-related benefits. Mastercard’s payment network net revenues increased 13% year over year in the first nine months of 2025, along with 15% growth in cross-border volumes.
American Express taps into its long-standing connections with luxury hotels, airlines and experience providers to secure upgrades, exclusive rates and perks. This unique ecosystem sets it apart, especially for Platinum and Centurion cardholders who are looking for tailored service. AXP’s total revenues (net of interest expense) rose 9% year over year in the first nine months of 2025, along with 7% growth in its network volumes.
Visa’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Over the past year, shares of Visa have jumped 3.7% against the 13.7% fall of the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, V trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 24.79, above the industry average of 19.93. V carries a Value Score of D.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Visa’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies an 11.7% jump from the year-ago period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Visa stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

V Gains Loyalty Edge as Collinson & On-us Unlock 1,800+ Airport Perks

(RTTNews) - During a Goldman Sachs conference on Wednesday, American Express CEO Stephen Squeri announced that the company saw a 9 percent rise in U.S. retail consumer spending on its network from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday. Even more impressive, platinum cardholders increased their spending by 13 percent.
The holiday season is crucial for payment companies, as shopping and travel typically drive up the number of transactions. However, fears of a weaker season due to the recent U.S. government shutdown and overall economic uncertainty were somewhat alleviated by AmEx's latest performance.
In the afternoon trading session, American Express shares climbed 2.5 percent and have surged about 26 percent this year, outperforming competitors like Visa and Mastercard, as well as the broader market.
Spending growth on AmEx's network was also ahead of overall trends; Adobe Analytics reported a 7.7 percent increase in online spending during Cyber Week.
AmEx is still thriving thanks to its wealthy clientele, with high-income consumers continuing to travel and splurge on big purchases, even as other parts of the payments sector face challenges.
In October, the company raised the lower end of its profit and revenue guidance for 2025 after surpassing third-quarter expectations.
Squeri also noted that early trends for the fourth quarter appear to be consistent with the strong results seen earlier this year.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

American Express Sees 9% Holiday Spending Jump As Premium Customers Drive Growth

Mastercard Incorporated MA just doubled down on rewarding shareholders, rolling out a fresh $14 billion Class A share repurchase authorization while boosting its dividend. The new buyback kicks in once the existing $12 billion program is finished, and as of Dec. 5, 2025, roughly $4.2 billion still remained under that plan.
The company also approved a 14% hike in its quarterly cash dividend to 87 cents per share from 76 cents previously. The new payout will be distributed on Feb. 9, 2026, to shareholders of record as of Jan. 9, 2026. Based on the Dec. 9 closing price of $537.55, Mastercard’s dividend yield stands at 0.65%, slightly below the industry average of 0.72%, suggesting meaningful room for future increases as earnings and cash flows scale.
The pace of capital returns has been strong. In the last reported quarter, Mastercard repurchased 5.8 million shares for $3.3 billion, and between Oct. 1 and Oct. 27, it bought back another 2.1 million shares for $1.2 billion. It also delivered $687 million in dividends during the third quarter alone. The surge in cash generation is providing the flexibility to keep funding buybacks and growing payouts without straining the balance sheet.
Over the trailing twelve months, free cash flow rose 20% to $16.3 billion. The company ended the third quarter with $10.3 billion in cash and equivalents, up 22.2% from year-end 2024. Long-term debt totaled $19 billion, a manageable level considering its earnings trajectory. With expanding operations and robust margins, Mastercard’s capacity for shareholder-focused actions will grow further.
Peers’ Shareholder-Friendly Actions
Companies like Visa Inc. V and American Express Company AXP also have strong capital deployment programs.
In fiscal fourth quarter 2025, Visa returned $6.1 billion to shareholders, including $4.9 billion in buybacks and $1.2 billion in dividends, with $24.9 billion still authorized for repurchases as of Sept. 30. American Express repurchased 7 million shares for $2.3 billion in the third quarter of 2025 and paid $600 million in dividends, distributing 82 cents per share in the period. Both companies continued prioritizing shareholder returns through sizable buybacks and steady dividend payouts.
Mastercard’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Shares of Mastercard have gained 2.1% year to date, outperforming the broader industry’s 12.6% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Mastercard trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 28.46X, higher than the industry average of 19.96X. Mastercard carries a Value Score of D.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mastercard’s 2025 earnings implies a 12.6% rise year over year, followed by 15.8% growth next year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Mastercard Turns on the Cash Tap: Buybacks Boom, Dividends Bloom

Mastercard Inc. MA is trading below its 50-day and 200-day simple moving average (SMA), signaling a bearish trend. The 50-day and 200-day SMAs are key indicators for traders and analysts to identify support and resistance levels. These are considered particularly important as they are the first markers of an uptrend or downtrend.
This global payment solutions leader continues expanding into new customers and markets. The rapid adoption of digital and contactless payments is accelerating its transition to a fully digital model. Strategic acquisitions and partnerships are broadening its addressable market and creating additional revenue opportunities, strengthening the company’s long-term growth prospects. Yet, sustained high rebates and incentives given to merchants will keep putting pressure on the company’s net revenues.
Year to date, shares of MA have risen 2.6% against its industry’s decrease of 11.5% and the sector’s decline of 9.8%. The stock has, however, underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s gain of 19.3%.
MA vs Industry, Sector, S&P 500 YTD
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of other payment processors, Visa V and American Express AXP, have gained 3.5% and 22.1%, respectively, year to date.
While Visa is poised to benefit from expansion in cross-border volumes, rising transactions and investments in AI and stablecoin infrastructure, new product launches, strategic partnerships and a rebound in travel and entertainment spending should drive AXP.
The Case for MA
The ongoing shift toward digital and cashless payments acts as a catalyst for Mastercard’s growth. As consumers and businesses increasingly transition from cash to digital channels, the company is leveraging its global network, product innovation and technology-driven capabilities to capture expanding payment flows. Solid financial flexibility allows Mastercard to support organic investments while pursuing selective acquisitions that enhance long-term expansion.
Another key driver of Mastercard’s growth is its value-added services portfolio, spanning data analytics, cybersecurity and consulting. These offerings improve revenue stability and provide a buffer against fluctuations in transaction volumes by diversifying the company’s income streams.
Management anticipates continued healthy consumer and business spending. As a result, it expects fourth-quarter 2025 net revenues to grow at the high end of a low double-digit range and full-year 2025 net revenues to increase in the low-teens range on a currency-neutral basis, excluding acquisitions.
The company continues to invest in areas such as tokenization, cybersecurity, stablecoins, digital identity, open banking and real-time payments—capabilities that position it strongly in a fast-evolving competitive landscape. Mastercard’s expansion in emerging regions, particularly Southeast Asia and Latin America, fits well with its long-term objectives. These markets contain large unbanked populations and present substantial opportunities for digital inclusion and payment modernization.
Additionally, Mastercard is committing significant resources to AI, cybersecurity and fraud-prevention technologies, which enhance its value proposition and strengthen customer relationships. A solid cash position also supports share repurchases, dividend distributions and strategic deal-making. With $10.4 billion in cash and no short-term debt, Mastercard maintains strong financial flexibility and stability.
Yet, escalating operating expenses and higher rebates and incentives weigh on the upside. MA estimates adjusted operating expenses to grow at the high end of mid-teens in 2025.
Also, its leverage ratio (total debt to total equity) of 239.7% is poor compared with the industry’s average of 80.79%
Mastercard is Expensive
Mastercard is trading at a forward P/E ratio of 28.9X, well above the industry average of 20.16X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
MA is also expensive when compared with Visa and American Express.
Mixed Analyst Sentiment for MA
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has moved 0.2% north but the same for 2026 has moved 0.1% south in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
While the consensus estimate for Visa’s 2025 and 2026 earnings witnessed no movement, estimates for AXP witnessed northbound movement in the past 30 days.
While the Zacks Consensus Estimate of Mastercard’s 2025 and 2026 revenues suggests a 15.8% and 12.6% year-over-year increase, respectively, the same for 2025 and 2026 earnings suggests a 12.6% and 15.8% year-over-year increase, respectively. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 15.5%, better than the industry average of 11.2%.
Parting Thoughts on MA Stock
Mastercard’s solid fundamentals, growing digital ecosystem and consistent earnings growth reinforce its standing as a global payments leader. Strong cross-border activity and value-added services support its long-term prospects.
Still, ongoing regulatory pressure, higher expenses and a premium valuation may limit near-term upside. Given these factors, a cautious wait-and-see stance is appropriate for this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Mastercard Trading Below 50-Day & 200-Day SMA: How to Play the Stock

Futu Holdings Limited FUTU shares have grown a whopping 97.7% in a year, outperforming the 9.7% dip in its industry and the 17.9% rise in the Zacks S&P 500 Composite.
FUTU has surpassed its industry peers, Columbia Financial CLBK and American Express AXP. Columbia Financial has declined 3.7%, while American Express has gained 21.2%.
1-Year Share Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The six-month performance highlights that FUTU has outperformed Columbia Financial and American Express. FUTU has surged 59.8% compared with Columbia Financial’s and American Express’s 16% and 21.6% growth, respectively.
Let us analyze further to find out whether FUTU can maintain its stock price momentum, urging investors to buy the stock.
FUTU’s Clientele Growth: Global Diversification Paying Dividends
Futu Holdings registered 24.7% sequential growth in funded accounts in the third quarter of 2025. The company was successful at winning clients across every market, leading to this striking improvement in funded accounts. Hong Kong was the leading market that supported client acquisitions, backed by a strong equity market performance and an IPO pipeline.
FUTU recorded sequential growth in newly funded accounts across Singapore, positioning it as one of the leading retail brokers in that region. The company registered substantial contributions from Malaysia as well. Impressively, FUTU was able to secure 28,000 investor sign-ups in Singapore in July and Malaysia in October through MooFest. U.S. attracted promising figures with new funded accounts increasing in the high-double digits, signaling momentum in important regions.
This client base expansion, accelerated by international expansion, resulted in higher client assets and trading activity. In the third quarter of 2025, FUTU registered 79% year-over-year and 27% sequential rallies in total client assets, backed by robust asset inflow. Similarly, trading volume increased year over year by a whopping 105% and 9% sequentially due to client growth led by positive market forces and investors’ optimism.
All of these contributed to improving revenues 86.3% year over year in the third quarter of 2025 and net income skyrocketed 143.9%. This led to a net income margin expansion of 1,180 basis points from the year-ago quarter, highlighting how international expansion not only facilitated growth but also became a major margin driver.
Futu Holdings Is an Undervalued Gem
The FUTU stock is currently trading at 17.36 times forward 12-month earnings per share, below the industry’s average of 24.32 times. In terms of the trailing 12-month EV-to-EBITDA ratio, FUTU is trading at 4.89 times, lower than the industry average of 12.59 times. Futu Holdings appears undervalued, raising its growth probability in the long run if and when the market identifies its true value.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
FUTU’s Excellent Shareholder Returns & Robust Liquidity
Futu Holdings appears strong on the capital return front, with a return on equity of 30.6% beating the industry average of 17.2%. Similarly, the company’s return on invested capital of 18.7% beats the industry average of 5.5%. Surpassing the industry average on both counts makes Futu Holdings a highly profitable company, maximizing shareholder return.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
FUTU holds a strong balance sheet position with cash and equivalents of $17.8 billion as of Sept. 30, 2025, compared with $1.5 billion in current debt. It makes the company’s liquidity position substantially strong, which is again confirmed by its current ratio of 1.16 in the third quarter of 2025, hovering close to the industry average of 1.21. A current ratio of more than 1 is a green flag for investors as it signals that the company is well-positioned to pay off short-term obligations.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Futu Holdings’ Robust Top & Bottom-Line Outlook
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FUTU’s 2025 sales is pinned at $2.7 billion, indicating 52.3% year-over-year growth. For 2026, the top line is expected to gain 8.9% year over year. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $8.89 per share for 2025, implying a 77.5% year-over-year surge. The same is anticipated to increase 12.2% year over year.
Over the past 60 days, two EPS estimates for both 2025 and 2026 have been revised upward with a single downward adjustment. During the same period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 earnings has increased 6.3% and 7.2%, respectively. These upward revisions highlight analysts' confidence.
Add Futu Holdings to Your Portfolio Now
FUTU’s remarkable funded account growth was facilitated by its robust international expansion strategy that helped the company acquire clients globally. This strategy improved the top line and strengthened margins. Alongside this positive, Futu Holdings’ capital return capabilities appear strong, suggesting efficient maximization of shareholder value. It also possesses a strong liquidity position, which is a waving green flag for investors.
FUTU is a fundamentally strong stock that is currently undervalued, making it a perfect buy for investors who want to dip their hands in the fintech space.
FUTU sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains
Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.
While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.
Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.
Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.
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Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Futu Holdings Soars 98% in a Year: Should You Buy the FUTU Stock?

American Express Company AXP, also known as AmEx, holds a distinct position in the payments world. Unlike Visa Inc. V and Mastercard Incorporated MA, which operate asset-light networks, AmEx carries loans on its own balance sheet. That structure makes leverage a strategic tool when credit conditions are healthy. Borrowed capital boosts earnings on every dollar of equity, while a sizable cash and liquidity reserve provides protection when the environment tightens. In practice, AmEx uses debt to power returns and liquidity to absorb volatility rather than to survive it.
AXP’s long-term debt-to-capital of 64.1% stands above the industry average of 43.5%. As of Sept. 30, 2025, long-term debt reached $57.8 billion, with $1.4 billion in short-term borrowings. Cash and cash equivalents of $54.7 billion rose sharply from $40.6 billion at the end of 2024, underscoring a defensible liquidity cushion. In a favorable cycle, this combination drives high returns. When the cycle turns, it pressures margins but avoids survival risk.
The more interesting shift is AmEx’s aggressive push into Gen Z and Millennial acquisition. Younger customers initially appear riskier than the legacy premium base: thin credit histories, higher lifestyle volatility and faster charge-off curves. The risk is real, but the company is not chasing mass volume. It is cultivating future premium cohorts with higher lifetime values: young professionals, early-career high earners and aspirational travelers with rising income trajectories. In the third quarter, AmEx issued 3.2 million new proprietary cards, and 64% went to Millennials and Gen Z.
Risk management reflects the balance sheet model. AmEx uses lower initial limits, rich behavioral data from its closed-loop network and gradual underwriting that scales with proven spend. Slightly higher seasoning losses are treated as investments in long lifetime value, supported by fee revenue and premium engagement. In short, the brand is expanding without diluting quality.
AmEx’s Advantage Over Visa & Mastercard
AmEx also differentiates itself from Visa and Mastercard by integrating deeply into the hospitality journey, from reservation to service. Partnerships and platforms enable curated dining experiences, including real-time preference insights for restaurants. This end-to-end control creates emotional loyalty rather than transactional convenience, strengthening AmEx’s premium identity and making the brand increasingly magnetic for younger consumers. Visa and Mastercard, as payments-focused networks, do not have similar consumer-facing reaches.
AmEx’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Shares of AXP have gained 22.1% in the year-to-date period against the industry’s decline of 3.7%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, AmEx trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 20.80X, down from the industry average of 24.32X. AXP carries a Value Score of C.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AmEx’s 2025 earnings is pegged at $15.43 per share, implying a 15.6% jump from the year-ago period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains
Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.
While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.
Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.
Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.
See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Leverage on the Rocks: Can Gen Z & Millennials Keep AmEx Premium?

American Express (AXP) closed at $361.92 in the latest trading session, marking a -2.28% move from the prior day. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.35%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.45%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.14%.
The credit card issuer and global payments company's stock has climbed by 0.49% in the past month, falling short of the Finance sector's gain of 2.44% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.2%.
Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of American Express in its upcoming earnings disclosure. In that report, analysts expect American Express to post earnings of $3.58 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 17.76%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $18.85 billion, up 9.73% from the prior-year quarter.
For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $15.43 per share and a revenue of $72.1 billion, signifying shifts of +15.58% and +9.33%, respectively, from the last year.
Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for American Express. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.
Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 0.04% downward. American Express presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Investors should also note American Express's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 24. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 12.55.
Investors should also note that AXP has a PEG ratio of 1.67 right now. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. The average PEG ratio for the Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry stood at 0.93 at the close of the market yesterday.
The Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry is part of the Finance sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 68, placing it within the top 28% of over 250 industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow AXP in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
Zacks Naming Top 10 Stocks for 2026
Want to be tipped off early to our 10 top picks for the entirety of 2026? History suggests their performance could be sensational.
From 2012 (when our Director of Research Sheraz Mian assumed responsibility for the portfolio) through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.
Now Sheraz is combing through 4,400 companies to handpick the best 10 tickers to buy and hold in 2026. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these stocks when they’re released on January 5.
Be First to New Top 10 Stocks >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

American Express (AXP) Sees a More Significant Dip Than Broader Market: Some Facts to Know

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – December 8, 2025 – Zacks Equity Research shares MongoDB MDB as the Bull of the Day and Bath & Body Works, Inc. BBWI as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Mastercard Inc. MA, Visa V and American Express AXP.
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks.
Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock MongoDB is a leading database software company. Think of a traditional database (like a spreadsheet or filing cabinet) as being very rigid: you have to decide exactly how many columns your data will have before you put anything in it. If you want to add new information later, you must stop everything and restructure the entire cabinet. Conversely, MDB technology stores data in self-contained folders that can hold anything – text, photos, video links, or lists – all in one place. Additionally, MDB’s product is unique because:
· There are No Rigid Rules (Flexible Schema): You don't have to define a strict structure upfront. If you have 100 customer folders, and you decide you want to track a new "loyalty points" field, you just add it to the following folder you create. The other 99 folders don't need to change. This is called a flexible schema.
· It is Built for Speed and Scale: Because modern applications (like a popular social media app or an e-commerce site) serve millions of users and ingest new data every minute, MongoDB is designed to scale easily and handle massive amounts of data very quickly. It can simply add more "cabinets" (servers) to store data horizontally.
· The Main Product: Atlas: The company's main business is MongoDB Atlas, which is like an easy button for this robust database. It's a cloud service that lets developers use the MongoDB database without worrying about setting up or maintaining the servers. They just pay to use the database as a service.
Microsoft Partnership Helps MDB Break Into AI
MDB has a partnership with tech giant Microsoft that enables Atlas to be deeply integrated into Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. Clients can now plug Atlas into Microsoft Azure to utilize its AI tools. The Microsoft partnership is critical for helping MDB gain a share of the rapidly growing AI market. The good news for MDB investors is that MongoDB was named the 2025 ‘Microsoft United States Partner of the Year.’
MDB: A Consistent EPS Outperformer
Wall Street is a game of expectations, and MDB has illustrated that it’s capable of delivering. Over the past four quarters, it has surpassed Zacks Consensus Analyst Estimates by a juicy 69.30%.
MDB Reports Stellar EPS
Last week, MongoDB delivered strong third-quarter results that exceeded the high end of their guidance, driven by continued strength in Atlas, which saw growth accelerate 30% year-over-year. Meanwhile, total revenue and subscription revenue grew 19% year-over-year as margins expanded. Finally, MDB raised its guidance. The company now expects EPS growth of ~30% and revenue growth of 20%.
MDB Technical View: An EPS-Induced Breakaway Gap
Following the early December earnings release, MDB shares spiked 22% as trading volume swelled to more than 4x the norm – a sign of heavy demand. Despite the large upside move, the stock has traded sideways since EPS, indicating that although investors have large profits in the stock, they are unwilling to part with their shares.
Bottom Line
MongoDB’s flexible architecture, cloud-first Atlas platform, and strategic partnership with Microsoft give the company a powerful runway for AI-driven growth. With a track record of earnings outperformance and fresh momentum following EPS, MDB shares are a buy.
Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) company Bath & Body Works, Inc., was founded in 1990 and has grown into a leading global retailer specializing in personal care and home fragrance products. The Columbus, Ohio-based company operates under the ‘Bath & Body Works’ and White Barn brand names. BBWI offers a wide range of products, including soaps, lotions, fragrances, candles, and other personal care items. Bath & Body Works sells its products through its website and brick-and-mortar locations.
Originally part of L Brands, Inc., the company underwent a significant transformation in 2021 when it spun off Victoria’s Secret and rebranded itself. The company has an international presence, but its primary markets are the United States and Canada.
Consumer Weakness and Brand Weakness
In a troubling trend for BBWI, North American consumers are spending less on non-essential home products. Meanwhile, Bath & Body Works’ core demand engine is weakening, signaling erosion in brand relevance and consumer engagement. During the third quarter, total net sales declined 1% to $1.6 billion, and management indicated that the performance would have been worse had it not been for an extended fall sale.
BBWI: Larger Competitors are Taking Market Share
BBWI faces intense, direct competition from industry peers such as Sephora and Ulta Beauty.To make matters worse, big box retailers such as Target and Walmarthave expanded their fragrance and body care departments, poaching market share from BBWI. As a result, Zacks Consensus Analyst Estimates suggest negative earnings growth over the next two years.
Challenging Start to Holiday Season
BBWI reported that Q4 sales were down in the high single digits, signaling a weak start to the most crucial retail season. With sales slowing and competition rising, the company will be forced to offer markdowns and deal with higher inventory and uncertainty.
Bottom Line
Bath & Body Works faces a challenging landscape with softening consumer demand, heightened competition, and declining sales momentum heading into its most crucial quarter.
Additional content:
Are Buyouts & Partnerships Powering Mastercard's Long-Term Growth?
Mastercard Inc. uses a disciplined acquisition and partnership strategy as a key growth driver, enabling expansion beyond traditional card payments into value-added services, open banking, B2B payment flows and global digital finance infrastructure. These moves help diversify revenues, strengthen margins and deepen MA’s global ecosystem through powerful network effects.
In recent years, Mastercard has acquired and partnered with companies that enhance its capabilities in high-growth, recurring-revenue areas. Notably, its $2.65 billion acquisition of threat-intelligence firm Recorded Future boosted its cybersecurity offerings, while the purchase of Minna Technologies expanded its subscription-management and digital-service capabilities, further strengthening its data, security and tech-driven services portfolio.
Mastercard has strategically used acquisitions like Dynamic Yield and Baffin Bay Networks while strengthening offerings in subscription and digital asset management.
It has deepened global partnerships with Pluto, ADGM, Corpay, The Clearing House, Equity Bank, and stc pay to drive B2B and cross-border solutions. Collaborations with Fiserv, Chainlink and Thunes further enhance access to stablecoins and crypto, reinforcing its strategy of scaling digital payments and financial services worldwide. It also collaborated with Zain Cash, Infosys, GCash, Circle, Stripe, Google, Antom, L’Oréal and FIDO Alliance to further enhance its reach and services. It is continuously collaborating with companies to enhance its services.
Thus, these reflect Mastercard’s multi-layered strategy to transform from a payments network into a fully integrated, global financial infrastructure platform.
What About MA’s Peers?
Visa continues to strengthen its market leadership through targeted acquisitions and global partnerships. Visa’s deals—from Earthport to Tink—enhance capabilities in cross-border payments and fraud prevention, while its collaborations with partners across emerging markets deepen its network and support sustained growth in global payment volumes.
American Express has expanded its footprint through smart acquisitions and strategic partnerships. AXP’s deals—such as Kabbage, Tock, Rooam and Center ID—enhance SMB lending and payment tools, while its alliances with major brands like Delta, Hilton, Amazon and Point.me bolster loyalty and broaden its market reach.
MA’s Price Performance
Shares of MA have gained 3% year to date, outperforming the industry.
MA’s Expensive Valuation
Mastercard trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 28.8, above the industry average of 20.02. It carries a Value Score of D.
No Estimate Movement for MA
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MA’s fourth-quarter 2025 EPS and first-quarter 2026 EPS witnessed no movement in the last seven days. The same holds true for full-year 2025 and 2026 estimates.
The consensus estimate for MA’s 2025 and 2026 revenues and EPS indicates year-over-year increases.
MA stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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	S/L 5%RUB 365.65	S/L 10%RUB 346.40	S/L 15%RUB 327.16
Day	0.40%	0.00%	0.00%
Week	19.78%	0.82%	0.00%
Month	52.97%	19.68%	4.65%

American Express Company

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