American Express Company (NYSE:AXP)

This is a company with focused, disciplined management. Their spinoff of Ameriprise is an example of them focusing on their core strengths.

AXP also has one of the world's great brands. It's an accessible luxury brand of sorts. It has a stronger brand than VISA or MASTERCARD that allows it to create better terms with both it's customers and retailers. It also has an exlusive relationship with COSTCO.

Also, AXP has tremendous customer service.

Like TMF says, the financial sector woes and unfairly pulling AXP down.

American Express is the best positioned card company to weather a Credit drop

With P/E ~ 11 and Earnings/equity ~ 24% it's a BUY. And considering the experience and prestige of AMEX - I have no doubts in it.

A good company at a fair price.

Cheap.

Closed-loop network, very high margins.

Probably some writedowns, with a real money I'd probably cover with a short-term put if I bought now raising my cost basis a little bit, but long term will do great.

not as well protected as visa and master.. holds their own debt in a credit loving country, especially people who can not afford it. Put as much as you can on credit and pay necessities that will only take CASH...mortgage and other bills. I dont think you can pay your mortgage with your credit card can you? Who loses? Banks that hold the debt or companies like discover and american express. Either have to be more aggressive on getting new customers by allowing more risky applicants in which was the cause of the debacle you are currently in or raise fees. But maybe you have a multi-billion dollar cost saving measure over the next 10 years, but who is to say you will even be around..buy out? cheap cheap comapnies..fire sale...im taking out 15% student loans to cover ....

Blue chip on sale.

Great Brand

Great Company

Money Tree!

It is a blue chip that will not disappoint. Trading near 52 week low. Low risk.

really like axp long term. solid business model, good fees, like their travel business.

The newer side of business (partnerships with banks to issue cards vis-a-vis Visa and MC) will be a boon! Undervalued as it is.

There will be a lowering of fees if they want to get into more places that already have their margins squeezed and all of their customers have V and MC also. However those reduced fees will be made up by receiving fees from more places ... I hope!

Bound to do well with all the plastic dollars being used nowadays.

Financial companies are hurting right now.

Credit card companies are the future. Everyone uses plastic. The ease of transactions, big and small, warrants the use of credit cards. The sky is the limit. This is the new dot com.

Long term pick. Might be affected in the short term by self fulfilling prophecy of consumer credit write offs.

overbeated, specially if you compare with comtetitors. Lots of cash $20B gives them an edge

Great company on sale (who do I sound like?)