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American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) is one of the

7 Best Compounder Stocks to Buy Now.

On June 4, 2026, American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) and Delta Air Lines introduced new travel benefits for eligible Delta SkyMiles Card Members, refreshed card designs across the full portfolio, and welcome offers for new Card Members. Jon Gantman, Executive Vice President – Cobrand Products & New Product Development at American Express, said the companies added benefits, including rideshare credits and a second checked bag “without increasing annual fees.”

On May 20, 2026, American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) announced a strategic partnership with Fanatics, under which American Express becomes the Official Payments Partner across select Fanatics online and retail locations worldwide and a presenting sponsor at Fanatics Fest. Chief Marketing Officer Elizabeth Rutledge said the partnership combines the American Express Network with Fanatics’ ecosystem of more than 100 million fans and includes the new Fanatics American Express Card.American Express Company (AXP) and Delta Refresh SkyMiles Card Benefits

Earlier in May, Freedom Broker upgraded American Express to Buy from Hold with a price target of $370, up from $325, after the company beat Q1 expectations while keeping its full-year guidance unchanged.

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) operates as an integrated payments company in the United States and internationally.

While we acknowledge the potential of AXP as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy.

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In early June 2026, Delta Air Lines and American Express expanded their co-branded SkyMiles credit card benefits and Delta launched the first-ever nonstop service between New York JFK and Malta, alongside a new Delta Vacations program offering curated Maltese travel experiences through October 23, 2026. Together, these moves deepen customer loyalty and broaden high-value international leisure travel options, reinforcing Delta's focus on premium and partnership-driven revenue. With these refreshed card perks and the new Malta route, we'll explore how Delta's enhanced loyalty ecosystem could influence its investment narrative.

We've uncovered the 9 dividend fortresses yielding 5%+ that don't just survive market storms, but thrive in them.

Delta Air Lines Investment Narrative Recap

To own Delta, you have to believe its premium, international and loyalty engines can offset economic and fuel headwinds, despite a recent quarterly loss and IATA's warning on sector profits. The new Malta route and richer Amex card perks both lean into high-value leisure and loyalty, but they do not change the near term risk that weaker domestic demand or higher fuel costs could pressure margins more than expected.

Among recent announcements, the expanded American Express SkyMiles benefits look most relevant, because they tie directly into Delta's focus on premium and loyalty revenue. Higher welcome bonuses and added perks such as a complimentary second checked bag and rideshare credits could deepen engagement in the SkyMiles ecosystem, which matters if flat capacity growth and rising costs keep near term earnings sensitivity high.

Yet even with these positives, investors should be aware of the risk that rising fuel and non fuel costs could...

Read the full narrative on Delta Air Lines (it's free!)

Delta Air Lines' narrative projects $73.2 billion revenue and $5.3 billion earnings by 2029. This requires 3.9% yearly revenue growth and a roughly $0.8 billion earnings increase from $4.5 billion today.

Uncover how Delta Air Lines' forecasts yield a $81.81 fair value, a 7% upside to its current price.

Exploring Other PerspectivesDAL 1-Year Stock Price Chart

Some of the lowest ranked analysts were already assuming only modest earnings growth to about US$5.2 billion by 2029, and see rising non fuel costs as a bigger threat than the consensus view, so if you are weighing the Malta route and Amex refresh against that backdrop it is worth knowing how differently reasonable people can look at the same numbers.

Explore 9 other fair value estimates on Delta Air Lines - why the stock might be worth 31% less than the current price!

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Decide For Yourself

Disagree with existing narratives? Extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd, so go with your instincts.

A great starting point for your Delta Air Lines research is our analysis highlighting 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs that could impact your investment decision. Our free Delta Air Lines research report provides a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual - the Snowflake - making it easy to evaluate Delta Air Lines' overall financial health at a glance.

No Opportunity In Delta Air Lines?

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include DAL.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 11, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BroadStreet Partners ("BroadStreet") a leading North American insurance brokerage company, today announced the appointment of John J. "Jack" Brennan as Board Chair, effective immediately.

Jack Brennan joins BroadStreet as Board Chair. Mr. Brennan was the Chief Executive Officer of Vanguard for 12 years and served as chairman of the board for 11 years. Mr. Brennan has been a member of many corporate, non-profit and regulatory boards, including American Express and Guardian Life Insurance Company, where he currently serves as the lead director; the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), where he served 15 years, including a period as its Chairman; the University of Notre Dame, where he was previously chairman for the board of trustees; and Rockefeller Capital Management.

This appointment reflects BroadStreet’s commitment to the highest standards of governance. The appointment comes as the organization continues to advance against its long-term growth plans and mission to be the preferred home for premier insurance agencies in North America. As part of the growth objectives, BroadStreet is deepening its investments in technology and digital transformation—including implementing AI and data-driven solutions to drive long-term value creation—to improve agency performance for its Core Agency Partners and further strengthen its platform across North America. As well, BroadStreet continues its market-leading M&A pace while pursuing durable growth through both organic and inorganic opportunities.

"I am pleased to be joining as Board Chair at BroadStreet, a company with a deep commitment to driving growth through innovation and outstanding service. I look forward to contributing as the organization continues to cement its leadership position in the insurance brokerage space," said Jack Brennan, Board Chair, BroadStreet.

"Being able to attract a Board Chair of Jack’s caliber is a testament to the growth trajectory of our organization. Jack brings decades of experience at the highest levels of finance and corporate stewardship and, with his extensive leadership experience, is well positioned to lead the board in its oversight duties," said Mike O’Connor, CEO of BroadStreet.

"Jack's leadership experience — building great organizations, navigating complex financial services environments, and governing at the highest levels — is exactly what BroadStreet needs as we enter our next chapter of growth. I look forward to his partnership and stewardship, and I remain fully committed to our Core Partners, our co-ownership culture, and the mission we have built together over more than two decades," said Rick Miley, Founder and Executive Director of BroadStreet.

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To learn more about BroadStreet Partners, visit: https://broadstreetcorp.com/.

About BroadStreet Partners

BroadStreet Partners is an insurance brokerage company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Company invests in select, entrepreneurial, high-performing independent agencies looking for capital support and partnership. With 30 Core Agency Partners, BroadStreet provides ownership opportunities for more than 800 agency professionals across the U.S. and Canada. The company is a top North American private brokerage firm according to Insurance Journal's 2024 Top Property/Casualty Agencies. www.broadstreetcorp.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260611751193/en/

Contacts

Media Contact Brian Janson/Prosek Partners bjanson@prosek.com

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Key Points

Realty Income has been paying a monthly dividend for more than 55 years without skipping a beat. Home Depot is laying the groundwork for a big comeback in a less hostile operating environment. American Express's fee-based model generates loyalty and recurring revenue.10 stocks we like better than Realty Income ›

While the SpaceX initial public offering (IPO) is firing up the market, I'll be sitting this one out. I like a top growth stock with a great story as much as anyone else, but the math here doesn't add up for me. The stock is astronomically expensive, the financials aren't compelling, and IPO stocks as a class aren't usually a great investment.

If I were looking for a great stock to buy right now, I'd be looking at sturdy dividend stocks that offer safety in an increasingly expensive market rather than hype.

Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »

Three I'd start with are Realty Income(NYSE: O), Home Depot(NYSE: HD), and American Express(NYSE: AXP).

Image source: Home Depot.

1. Realty Income

Realty Income is a real estate investment trust (REIT). It owns about 15,500 properties globally, and it's one of the largest in the world.

It has a solid growth strategy that involves buying new properties or acquiring smaller REITs, and it has access to plenty of funds to keep the model going. It also has a long pipeline of new properties to consider, with $31 billion in sourced volume in the first quarter and a 9% selectivity rate.

It's reliable for strong performance because it predominantly leases its properties to large essentials companies like Walmart, Home Depot, and 7-Eleven. These are companies that consistently have high demand and generally perform well under pressure. Almost 80% of its properties are in retail, but it has also expanded into other industries to expand its reach and reduce risk.

Realty Income has a 98.9% occupancy rate and rarely dips below that, even during times of economic pressure. It's a model that works.

As a REIT, it pays out 90% of its earnings as dividends, and its dividend is very attractive for a number of reasons. One is the yield. At the current price, Realty Income's dividend yields 5.3%. The growth and reliability are just as compelling. It's one of the few companies that pays a monthly dividend, and it has paid it for more than 55 years without fail, an unmatched track record. It has raised the dividend for the past 115 quarters, or close to 30 years.

Realty is a top dividend stock that can provide security and passive income to any investor.

2. Home Depot

Home Depot stock continues to struggle amid the high mortgage rate environment, which has been putting home sales on hold. But considering the pressured operating climate, it's reporting sales and comparable sales (comps) increases, which is an impressive feat.

In the fiscal 2026 first quarter (ended May 3), sales increased 4.8% year over year, with comps up 0.6%. Earnings per share (EPS) were down from $3.45 to $3.30.

Everything was in line with management's expectations, and the company continues to expand and lay the groundwork for more success when the macroeconomy is more favorable. It plans to open 15 new stores this year, and recently completed the acquisition of Mingledorff's, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment distributor in five Southeast U.S. states. This gives it greater access specifically to HVAC parts, and embedding this business in its enterprise leverages its powerful distribution system to create more value for its professional customers.

It's already doing that with SRS Distribution, a pro supplies company it acquired in 2024. SRS has 1,300 branches, and together with Home Depot's core 2,360 stores and 325 warehouses, it has 16,000 delivery assets.

While the stock is down, Home Depot continues to raise the dividend, and the yield is at 2.9% today.

3. American Express

American Express continues to demonstrate resilience and momentum despite stubbornly high inflation. It has a carefully crafted and maintained model that targets an affluent clientele through a fee-based rewards program, and this clientele has more spending power in any type of economy.

The fee-based model also creates loyalty and a recurring revenue stream, as well as high profitability. In the 2026 first quarter, revenue increased 11% year over year to $18.9 billion, while EPS increased 18% to $4.28. Spend growth is accelerating, up six percentage points from last year, while retention rates remain close to 100%.

The company's emphasis on travel and entertainment is a key part of its success. While U.S. consumer services spending increased 5% over last year in the first quarter, fine hotels and resorts spending increased 50%. The focus on younger consumers is also a major growth driver, with 66% of global consumer new accounts coming from millennial and Gen-Z age groups, and 73% of global new accounts on fee-based products.

With growing net income, it has ample funds to pay and raise its dividend, which yields 1.1% at the current price.

Should you buy stock in Realty Income right now?

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The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Realty Income wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

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American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Jennifer Saibil has positions in American Express and Walmart. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends American Express, Home Depot, Realty Income, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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Kwik Payments utilizes ACI's Payments Orchestration Platform to help merchants reduce checkout friction and drive conversion uplifts of more than 20%

OMAHA, Neb. & JOHANNESBURG, June 11, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), an original innovator in global payments technology, today announced that Kwik Payments, a South Africa-based payments service provider (PSP), has successfully gone live on the ACI Payments Orchestration Platform, to power the next phase of digital commerce growth across South Africa and the wider African market.

The partnership represents a pivotal milestone in ACI's expansion across Africa, reinforcing its growing footprint supported by an expanding network of merchants, PSPs, and merchant acquirers. Anchored by a strong local presence, ACI's payment orchestration platform streamlines payment processing by seamlessly connecting POS, ATM, and e-commerce channels with leading global card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

"Our ambition is to help shape the future of digital commerce in Africa by giving merchants access to reliable, high-performance and globally competitive payment capabilities," said Eddy Marais, CEO of Kwik Payments. "Partnering with ACI provides us with a proven orchestration foundation that supports our growth strategy, enabling us to scale from South Africa into broader African markets while delivering world-class eCommerce experiences."

By implementing ACI Payments Orchestration Platform, Kwik Payments empowers merchants to seamlessly manage and optimize payments across online, mobile and recurring channels, while intelligently routing transactions across multiple acquirers, payment methods and geographies. Unlike traditional multi-provider implementations that can take months to deploy, merchants can now go live within one to two weeks, accelerating speed to market and reducing operational complexity.

The platform's AI-powered fraud detection evaluates more than 1,000 data points per transaction in real time, strengthening security without compromising customer experiences. Its AI-enabled reporting and reconciliation capabilities reduce manual reconciliation effort by up to 80% while increasing accuracy and efficiency. The seamless and unified payment flows also help address one of the industry's biggest revenue challenges, with overly complex checkouts contributing to cart abandonment rates of up to 70%.

"Africa is one of the fastest-growing digital commerce regions in the world, and South Africa plays a critical role as a gateway for innovation and scale," said Matt Rubin, Head of Merchant, Middle East & Africa, ACI Worldwide. "With ACI's Payments Orchestration Platform, Kwik Payments provides the flexibility and intelligence needed to help African merchants compete on a global stage, while navigating local payment preferences, complexity and growth demands."

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As one of Africa's leading digital payments innovation hubs, South Africa continues to see strong demand from merchants for modern, scalable infrastructure that can support diverse payment methods, improve authorization rates and streamline operations. Payment orchestration is becoming a critical enabler, helping merchants to optimize performance and increase customer engagement, while embracing emerging payment methods such as mobile wallets, A2A payments, and digital currencies.

The collaboration between ACI Worldwide and Kwik Payments underscores a shared commitment to advancing Africa's digital economy through enterprise-grade, future-ready payments infrastructure that supports African merchants as they scale regionally and globally with greater agility, resilience, and efficiency.

About ACI Worldwide

ACI Worldwide, an original innovator in global payments technology, delivers transformative software solutions that power intelligent payments orchestration in real time so banks, billers, and merchants can drive growth, while continuously modernizing their payment infrastructures, simply and securely. With 50 years of trusted payments expertise, we combine our global footprint with a local presence to offer enhanced payment experiences to stay ahead of constantly changing payment challenges and opportunities.

© Copyright ACI Worldwide, Inc. 2026

ACI, ACI Worldwide, ACI Payments, Inc., ACI Pay, Speedpay and all ACI product/solution names are trademarks or registered trademarks of ACI Worldwide, Inc., or one of its subsidiaries, in the United States, other countries or both. Other parties' trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners.

About Kwik Payments

Kwik Payments is a South Africa based payments service provider delivering modern, scalable payment solutions designed for eCommerce growth. Focused on performance, reliability and regional expansion, Kwik Payments aims to provide world class payment orchestration services that empower merchants across South Africa and the broader African marketplace.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260610062114/en/

Contacts

Media Contacts

ACI Worldwide Pierce Rohrmann | Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs | pierce.rohrmann@aciworldwide.com Lyn Kwek | Communications and Corporate Affairs Director | lyn.kwek@aciworldwide.com

Kwik Payments Eddy Marais | Founder and CEO | media@kwik.co.za

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Looking back on credit card stocks’ Q1 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Visa (NYSE:V) and its peers.

Credit card companies facilitate electronic payments and extend revolving credit to consumers. Growth comes from increasing digital payment adoption, cross-border transaction growth, and value-added services for cardholders and merchants. Challenges include regulatory scrutiny of fees and practices, competition from alternative payment methods, and potential credit losses during economic downturns.

The 6 credit card stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q1. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

While some credit card stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3.5% since the latest earnings results.

Visa (NYSE:V)

Processing over 829 million transactions daily and connecting billions of cards to 150 million merchant locations worldwide, Visa (NYSE:V) operates one of the world's largest electronic payments networks, facilitating secure money movement across more than 200 countries through its VisaNet processing platform.

Visa reported revenues of $11.23 billion, up 17.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 4.5%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA and revenue estimates.Visa Total Revenue

Visa achieved the biggest analyst estimate beat of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 4.9% since reporting and currently trades at $324.55.

Read why we think that Visa is one of the best credit card stocks, our full report is free.

Best Q1: Bread Financial (NYSE:BFH)

Formerly known as Alliance Data Systems until its 2022 rebranding, Bread Financial (NYSE:BFH) provides credit cards, installment loans, and savings products to consumers while powering branded payment solutions for retailers and merchants.

Bread Financial reported revenues of $1.02 billion, up 4.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.3%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and net interest margin estimates.Bread Financial Total Revenue

The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 1.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $94.21.

Is now the time to buy Bread Financial? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: American Express (NYSE:AXP)

Recognizable by its iconic green logo and the slogan "Don't leave home without it," American Express (NYSE:AXP) is a global payments company that issues credit and charge cards, processes merchant transactions, and offers travel and lifestyle benefits to consumers and businesses.

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American Express reported revenues of $17.66 billion, up 11.6% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 5.1%. It was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

American Express delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 4.8% since the results and currently trades at $317.06.

Read our full analysis of American Express’s results here.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)

Powering over 73 million active accounts and partnerships with major brands like Amazon, PayPal, and Lowe's, Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) provides credit cards, installment loans, and banking products through partnerships with retailers, healthcare providers, and digital platforms.

Synchrony Financial reported revenues of $3.70 billion, flat year on year. This result came in 2.4% below analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also logged a miss of analysts’ net interest margin and revenue estimates.

Synchrony Financial had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 7.5% since reporting and currently trades at $72.72.

Read our full, actionable report on Synchrony Financial here, it’s free.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA)

Recognizable by its iconic "Priceless" advertising campaign that has run in over 120 countries, Mastercard (NYSE:MA) operates a global payments network that connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, and businesses, enabling electronic transactions and providing payment solutions.

Mastercard reported revenues of $8.40 billion, up 15.8% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. It was a strong quarter as it also recorded a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA and revenue estimates.

The stock is down 5.9% since reporting and currently trades at $494.48.

Read our full, actionable report on Mastercard here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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Mastercard Incorporated MA is strengthening its presence in Latin America's fast-evolving digital payments landscape through its partnership in the launch of Mi Clip, a new digital wallet ecosystem introduced by Mexican fintech Clip. The initiative combines Clip's merchant network, Ant International's AI-powered technology, Mastercard's global payment infrastructure and Televisa-Univision's extensive media reach. The collaboration aims to accelerate digital payment adoption in Mexico, where cash continues to dominate everyday transactions despite growing financial digitization.

Mi Clip is designed to offer consumers and merchants access to digital accounts, payment services and credit solutions through a single platform. The wallet seeks to address financial inclusion challenges in Mexico, where a significant portion of adults remain outside the formal banking system. By enabling secure digital transactions and helping users establish a financial identity, the platform could encourage greater participation in the country's digital economy while supporting small businesses that have traditionally relied on cash.

For MA, the partnership reinforces its strategy of expanding payment acceptance and interoperability across emerging markets. Through its global network spanning more than 200 countries and territories, Mastercard will provide the infrastructure needed for secure domestic and cross-border transactions. As Mi Clip scales, MA could benefit from higher payment volumes, broader merchant acceptance and deeper engagement with consumers transitioning from cash-based transactions to digital payment methods.

The partnership also reflects Mastercard's role as a foundational infrastructure provider, enabling fintech-led innovations while extending the reach of digital payment solutions across diverse customer segments.

How Are Competitors Faring?

Some of MA's competitors in the payments space include Visa Inc. V and American Express Company AXP.

Visa is expanding its role in digital wallet infrastructure through partnerships that help financial institutions launch wallet-linked payment solutions. Recently, Visa teamed up with OpenWay to enable banks, fintechs and processors across the Asia Pacific to roll out new digital payment offerings faster and with greater flexibility.

American Express continues to strengthen its digital payments ecosystem through broader wallet integrations and merchant acceptance initiatives. In March 2026, the company enabled Bradesco-issued American Express cards on Samsung Wallet in Brazil, enhancing payment convenience and strengthening its presence in digital commerce.

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Mastercard's Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Over the past year, MA's shares have declined 16.2% compared with the industry's fall of 27%.Zacks Investment Research

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, MA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 23.65, above the industry average of 15.91. MA carries a Value Score of C.Zacks Investment Research

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mastercard's 2026 earnings implies 15.2% growth from the year-ago period.Zacks Investment Research

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Mastercard currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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

Mastercard Incorporated (MA) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Visa Inc. (V) : Free Stock Analysis Report

American Express Company (AXP) : Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

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Like getting a driver's license or graduating from college, owning a credit card is considered a rite of passage into American adulthood.

Credit card companies typically attract young customers by offering them "no fee" cards with few benefits. These companies assume, because of their cardholder's limited credit history and lack of disposable income, that they can't afford the fees that come along with more premium perks.

But Stephen Squeri turned that model on its head when he became American Express's CEO in 2018 — and shareholders have been amply rewarded since.

Mindful of his four daughters' tastes for the finer things in life, Squeri understood that affluent young people have no problem paying for a premium card — so long as they receive perks they actually want.

"The reality is," Squeri told Fortune, "these Gen Z and Millennials love premium, they love getting something that's luxe. I viewed them as educated consumers who love luxury. They also love value. I said, 'Wait a minute, these kids are smart.'"

Amex's turnaround story

But Squeri inherited a company in crisis, one that was still reeling from the 2015 loss of its partnership with Costco, which had accounted for 10% of American Express' global business. In addition, increased competition from premium cards by Chase and Capital One challenged Amex's once-dominant position in the luxury credit card market.

And so, Squeri "doubled down" by increasing Amex's marketing budget to focus heavily on the digital and search channels Millennials and Gen Z use — spending $4.1 billion in 2018 alone, according to the company's 10-Q.

He also orchestrated major overhauls with its Gold and Platinum cards, while drastically raising their annual fees. The revamped Gold card, for instance, introduced four times greater perks at restaurants and grocery stores, while its annual fee increased from $195 in 2017 to $325 in 2026.

Changes to Amex's Platinum card were even more dramatic: Cardmembers received access to over 1,550 airport lounges, Uber One perks, and statement credits on Lululemon, Resy, and Ōura — all for an $895 annual fee in 2026 (a $345 increase from 2017).

A bright young future for Amex

Squeri's big bet paid off — big time. Millennials and Gen Z now make up over 60% of all new American Express accounts, and they are spending more each year.

They are also using Amex's digital services, such as its app, more than older generations do, which allows them to enjoy special programs and perks, like the Amex-only events at the Coachella Music Festival.

Story Continues

And that "member since" designation provides Millennials and Gen Z with priceless intangible benefits, too, like status.

Squeri sees a lifetime of value in these premium customers. Speaking at the 2024 Goldman Sachs U.S. Financial Services Conference in New York, he described this new demographic by saying, "They don't spend as much right now as a Gen Xer or a [Baby] Boomer, and they don't borrow as much, but we believe they'll have 20 more years of relationship with us."

Related: How many employees does American Express have in 2026? Its workforce, locations, and layoffs explained

The proof is already apparent in AXP's earnings. In the years since Squeri began leading the company, American Express shares have delivered 16.6% annual returns, beating JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Visa (V), and even the S&P 500.

Amex posted continued strength in the first quarter of 2026, as well. It reported $18.91 billion in revenue, which was an 11% increase over 2025, and earnings per share of $4.28, an 18% increase over the prior year. These results were 7.2% higher than analyst estimates.

Its youngest cardholders were responsible for the majority of Amex's year-over-year spending growth, with Gen Z up 38% and Millennials up 13%, while Gen X increased 8% and Baby Boomers just 4%.

The company also raised its quarterly dividend by 16% to $0.95 per share, or $3.80 per year, which is yet another signal of Amex's financial wellness, as it demonstrates stable cash flow and management's confidence in the future.

Related: Where is American Express' headquarters? Why the company is moving to 2 World Trade Center

What could slow Amex's momentum?

While Amex's transformation under Squeri has been remarkable, even the best investments come with their share of risk, and so investors must also consider the challenges that could affect Amex's trajectory in the coming years.

For one, Squeri can't control the broader economy, and his business remains highly dependent on consumer spending.

A recession, for instance, could impact travel, entertainment, and discretionary purchases — even for the affluent customers Amex relies on.

Dow company histories:

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Traders on the prediction market Kalshi estimate a 41% chance of a recession happening in 2027, due to fears that the "cracks forming today" in the economy, in terms of volatile energy prices, elevated consumer credit balances, and pressures on corporate refinancing — both stemming from higher interest rates — come to a head.

That doesn't mean a recession is inevitable. In fact, Kalshi had also predicted a 36.9% chance of a recession happening in 2026 up until April 2026, but certain facts — that corporate earnings continue to outpace estimates, the unemployment rate has remained steady at 4.3%, and the S&P 500 is posting record highs — have led many to believe that the economy is stronger than previously estimated, at least for now.

In addition, competition in the premium credit card market remains red-hot, as JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup have all taken a page from Amex's playbook and rolled out their own premium offerings.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card, for example, is considered the closest rival to Amex's Platinum card — it offers a variety of travel and dining credits while sporting a lower annual fee of $795. The Capital One Venture X card provides access to the Capital One airport lounge, among other perks, and has a significantly lower fee, at $395.

Related: History of American Express: Company timeline & facts

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jun 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Investing section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Warren Buffett's actions. or at least those taken by his successors at Berkshire Hathaway, during this year's market downturn sent a clear warning about the risks investors face at current stock prices.

When the S&P 500 dropped roughly 9% from its January highs, many investors assumed the pullback would be enough to lure the 95-year-old into the market.

Instead, Berkshire’s cash pile climbed to its highest level in the conglomerate’s history, and Buffett made his lack of interest clear in terms that left little room for interpretation.

“Three times since I’ve taken over Berkshire, it’s gone down more than 50%,” Buffett told CNBC, drawing a comparison between Berkshire's three past 50% drawdowns and the current pullback. “This is nothing to make you get excited.”

Berkshire’s record $397 billion cash pile tells the full story

Berkshire Hathaway ended the first quarter of 2026 holding approximately $397 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term Treasury bills, according to the company's quarterly filing.

That figure climbed from $373 billion at the close of 2025, meaning Berkshire added roughly $24 billion to its liquid reserves in just three months as markets fell.

The company also remained a net seller of stocks during the quarter, offloading $8.1 billion more in equities than it purchased, Bloomberg reported.

That position now exceeds the combined liquid reserves of Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft, sending a clear signal that Buffett sees no incentive to act at current valuations.

The valuation metric Buffett trusts most is flashing a warning

The S&P 500 trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of about 21, down from its recent peak as analysts raised earnings estimates, but it remains well above the long-run historical average of approximately 16, according to FactSet.

Buffett, however, pays closer attention to a different gauge entirely: the total market capitalization of United States equities divided by gross domestic product, a ratio commonly known as the Buffett Indicator.

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That ratio currently stands at approximately 231%, its highest level on record, according to GuruFocus data. For perspective, Buffett has stated that a reading in the 70%-80% range is the kind of environment where “buying stocks is likely to work very well for you.”

He has also warned that when the indicator approaches 200%, investors are “playing with fire.” Advisor Perspectives placed the indicator at 229.7% as of the latest gross domestic product estimate, roughly two standard deviations above the long-term trend.

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That gap between the current reading and the zone Buffett considers attractive explains, in plain terms, why a 9% market dip failed to move his needle.Buffett’s favorite valuation gauge has reached record highs, signaling stocks remain expensive despite the market’s recent pullback.Bloomberg/Getty Images

Greg Abel charts a different investment path with Alphabet

While Buffett chose to sit on the sidelines, his successor as Berkshire’s chief executive officer, Greg Abel, took a markedly different approach that is already leaving its mark on Berkshire’s investment portfolio.

Berkshire agreed in June to invest $10 billion in Alphabet through a private placement, purchasing $5 billion in Class A shares at roughly $352 per share and another $5 billion in Class C shares at about $348 per share.

That deal came on top of roughly $11 billion Abel had already steered into Alphabet during the first quarter.

I won't make any [investments] that Greg thinks are wrong. ... Greg gets the sheet every day

Berkshire has now committed about $26.6 billion in capital across its Alphabet purchases, and the stake is valued at approximately $32 billion at current market prices.

The purchase made Alphabet one of Berkshire's four largest common-stock holdings alongside Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola, a rapid ascent from no position at all just months earlier.

Alphabet's share offering was part of an $84.7 billion fundraise aimed at financing artificial-intelligence infrastructure, CNBC noted.

Berkshire’s first quarter under Abel by the numbers

Abel’s debut quarter running Berkshire produced strong operating results even as the company hoarded cash, with operating earnings of $11.35 billion, up nearly 18% from the same period a year earlier.

Net income more than doubled year over year to approximately $10.1 billion from $4.6 billion in the first quarter of 2025, CNN reported.

Abel also authorized $234 million in share repurchases during March, the first buyback activity Berkshire had conducted since May 2024, representing a small but symbolically significant signal of his willingness to return capital to shareholders.

Berkshire’s insurance and operating businesses are generating enormous cash flows, and leadership is choosing to let that cash earn just under 4% in short-term Treasury bills, with the 3-Month yield at 3.72% as of June 5.

Whether the market proves Buffett right or wrong over the next year, the message embedded in $397 billion sitting idle is difficult to ignore.

Related: Warren Buffett's Berkshire dumps entire stake in dividend stock

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jun 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Investing section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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It's the most wonderful time of the year -- if you love shopping on Amazon(NASDAQ: AMZN). The e-commerce giant is having its annual midyear blowout sale from June 23 to June 26. Amazon will offer discounts across its marketplace to shoppers who subscribe to its Prime membership.

More than 180 million Americans subscribe to Prime, making Prime Day a truly nationwide retail event. It also makes Prime Day an excellent indicator of how strong U.S. consumers are midway through 2026. Here are the companies that win or lose on Prime Day, and why the stakes are high for much of Wall Street.

Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »Image source: Amazon.

Which companies win or lose on Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon's Prime Day has a massive gravitational pull on consumer spending. According to Adobe Analytics, last year's event generated roughly $24.1 billion in total online sales across U.S. retailers. That's more than twice what Americans spent online for Black Friday later that year. For many companies, a strong Prime Day bodes well for business, and that goes far beyond the brands that sell on Amazon.

That would include payment processing companies such as Visa and Mastercard. People don't shop online with cash, meaning these companies rake in the transaction fees from the event. Prime Day deals often lead to impulse purchases, benefiting credit card companies like American Express and Capital One, as well as Buy Now, Pay Later companies like Affirm, which sits in Amazon's online checkout.

There are some potential losers, too. In a way, Amazon's Prime Day is a power move against its competitors, which, for Amazon, is everyone else. Amazon is attacking traditional retailers that historically feast on the holiday shopping season. Last year, Amazon extended Prime Day to four days for the first time, and, unsurprisingly, it will be four days again this year.

Why the stakes are high across the board

Prime Day has grown large enough to send signals to Wall Street about the typical U.S. consumer. A strong Prime Day means consumers still feel confident enough about their finances to spend on things they may want but don't necessarily need. That can have implications for various industries, from restaurants to home improvement. If Prime Day sales disappoint or the data shows too many people funding their purchases with debt, it can indicate stress in household finances, an ominous sign.

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Either way, Amazon is the runaway leader in U.S. e-commerce, and its Prime Day is one of the major incentives to subscribing to Prime. Amazon's subscription services (Prime) generated $13.4 billion in high-margin revenue in the first quarter of 2026 alone; it's a crucial profit center that enables the company to sell goods at low prices and thin margins, further cementing its e-commerce dominance.

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American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Justin Pope has positions in Mastercard. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Adobe, Amazon, American Express, Mastercard, and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Capital One Financial and recommends the following options: long January 2028 $330 calls on Adobe and short January 2028 $340 calls on Adobe. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Amazon's Prime Day Is Coming. Here's What It Means for the Stock Market. was originally published by The Motley Fool

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