February 22, 2024
Top 10 Stock American Express Buy Recommendation
How to read the ranks
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.
Snapshot: American Express – Top 10 Stock in S&P 500 Index
American Express is listed as a top 10 stock on February 22, 2024 in the market index S&P 500 because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Only one consolidated Obermatt Rank is above-average. The company enjoys a positive professional investor sentiment, but all financial facts speak against a stock purchase. This is probably an investment into the future. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 69 (high 69% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall buy recommendation for American Express on February 22, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | USA |
| Industry | Consumer Finance |
| Index | Dow Jones, Diversity USA, Renewables Users, S&P 500 |
| Size class | XX-Large |
When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).
For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).
360° View: Obermatt 360° View American Express Buy
| 360 METRICS | February 22, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 18 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 43 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 45 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 100 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 69 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 69 (better than 69% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock American Express are above average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for American Express. The consolidated Sentiment Rank has a good rank of 100, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 100% of alternative investment opportunities. But all other ranks are below average. The consolidated Value Rank has a rank of 18, which means that the share price of American Express is on the higher side compared with typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. The consolidated Growth Rank also has a low rank of 43, meaning that the company exhibits below-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, invested capital growth, and stock returns. This means that growth is lower than for 43% of competitors in the same industry. Finally, the consolidated Safety Rank has a riskier rank of 45 which means that the company has a riskier financing structure than 55% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 69, American Express is better positioned than 69% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As only the professional market sentiment (Sentiment Rank of 100) is above-average, and all other consolidated Obermatt Ranks are below peers, the stock investing proposition case is rather weak. The stock price is expensive for a company of this size in this industry, visible in the below-average Value Rank. Growth is below the competition based on the Growth Rank, and the company has more debt than other companies, according to the Safety Rank. So the question becomes: How important is the Sentiment Rank when all others are below average? When it comes to growth, the low rating might be justified if growth is expected in the future and not yet reflected in current performance. This is often the case for companies with intellectual property, such as technology and pharmaceutical companies. In the early phases, these companies are expensive compared with their size and may have a lot of debt on their books, as is the case here, as seen in the low Value and Safety Ranks. Future growth may be the strongest investment rationale in this case, which is only reflected by institutional investors' opinions. You pay more than the market average for this stock and invest in a rather debt-loaded enterprise, but it may be worth it if the future of American Expresṣ is bright. A small investment might be justified, but proceed with caution. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for American Express very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 100 (better than 100% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock American Express is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all four indicators above average for American Express. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 54 (better than 54% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. Analyst Opinions Change is also positive with a rank of 93, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better and recommending investing in the company. They are getting more optimistic about stock investments in American Express. The Professional Investors rank is 84, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 84% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. Finally, Market Pulse has a rank of 67 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 67% of competitors). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 100 (more positive than 100% compared with investment alternatives), American Express has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. Since all market sentiment indicators are positive, the professional community highly recommends investment in the company. Does this mean American Express stocks are a safe investment? Far from it. Even professionals make mistakes. Especially in stock investing, there is a tendency to follow the leaders. Since trees don't grow to the heavens, such positive sentiment may also be interpreted as a danger sign. A lot of optimism can often be a sign of troubles to come, albeit unforeseen by most. ...read more
Value Strategy: American Express Stock Price Value low
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 18 (worse than 82% 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 45 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 55% 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 31 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 18, 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. ...read more
Growth Strategy: American Express Growth Momentum low
| GROWTH METRICS | February 22, 2024 | |||||||
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| REVENUE GROWTH | ||||||||
| REVENUE GROWTH | 57 |
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| PROFIT GROWTH | ||||||||
| PROFIT GROWTH | 51 |
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| CAPITAL GROWTH | ||||||||
| CAPITAL GROWTH | 24 |
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| STOCK RETURNS | ||||||||
| STOCK RETURNS | 65 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | 43 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 43 (better than 43% compared with alternatives), American Express shows a below-average growth dynamic in its industry. There is limited momentum in this company. 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 57 which means that currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 57% of its competitors. Both Profit Growth, with a rank of 51, and Stock Returns, with a rank of 65, are also above average. But Capital Growth only has a rank of 24, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital less than 76% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 43, is a hold 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. ...read more
Safety Strategy: American Express Debt Financing Safety below-average
| SAFETY METRICS | February 22, 2024 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 12 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 79 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 40 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 45 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 45 (better than 45% compared with alternatives), the company American Express has financing practices on the riskier side, which means that their overall debt burden is above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of American Express is also risky, it only means that the company is on the riskier side in respect to bankruptcy in case things turn sour, 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 79, meaning the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 79% of its competitors. But Leverage is high with a rank of 12, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 88% of its competitors. Liquidity is also on the riskier side with a rank of 40, meaning the company generates less profit to service its debt than 60% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 45 (worse than 55% compared with alternatives), American Express has a financing structure that is riskier 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. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: American Express Lowest Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | February 22, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 18 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 43 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 40 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 13 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 13 (worse than 87% compared with investment alternatives), American Express (Consumer Finance, USA) shares have lower financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of American Express are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 18 (worse than 82% of alternatives), show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 43), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 45), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 13, is a sell recommendation based on American Express's financial characteristics. As the company American Express's key financial metrics all exhibit below-average performance, such as low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 18), low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 43), and risky financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 45), it is a somewhat questionable stock investment, where the risk of paying too much for the shares is significant, unless the company has an exceptionally bright future. Such poor financial performance sometimes indicates that the company's business is all concentrated in some distant future. This is sometimes the case for high-tech or biotechnology companies. If they own properties that only provide cash flows in the future, the stock may look excessively expensive and risky today. In such cases, the Obermatt Method has limited value as it is based on facts we can observe today. If the facts are all in the future, stock investing becomes guesswork, and this should only be a driver in a limited number of investments that should only amount to a small fraction of a safe portfolio. ...read more
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