American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) today reported fourth-quarter net income of $1.1 billion, up 48 percent from $716 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share was $0.88, up 47 percent from $0.60 a year ago. The results include $113 million ($74 million after-tax) of previously announced restructuring and other reengineering costs. Excluding these costs, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.941.

(Millions, except per share amounts)

         
 

 

Quarters Ended

December 31,

Percentage

Inc/(Dec)

 Years Ended

December 31,

 Percentage

Inc/(Dec)

2010   2009 2010   2009

Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense2

 $ 7,322 $ 6,489 13 % $ 27,819 $ 24,523 13 %
 
Income From Continuing Operations $ 1,062 $ 710 50 $ 4,057 $ 2,137 90
Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations $ - $ 6 - $ - $ (7 ) -
Net Income $ 1,062 $ 716 48 $ 4,057 $ 2,130 90
 
Earnings Per Common Share – Diluted:

Income From Continuing Operations Attributable to Common Shareholders3

$

0.88

$

0.59

49

$

3.35

$

1.54

#

Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations $ - $ 0.01 - $ - $ - -

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders3

 $ 0.88 $ 0.60 47 $ 3.35 $ 1.54 #
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding 1,194 1,184 1 % 1,195 1,171 2 %
Return on Average Equity 27.5 % 14.6 % 27.5 % 14.6 %
Return on Average Common Equity       27.2 %     13.6 %         27.2 %     13.6 %    

# Denotes a variance of more than 100%

 

Consolidated total revenues net of interest expense were $7.3 billion, up 13 percent from $6.5 billion a year ago. The increase largely reflects the consolidation of securitized cardmember loans and related debt onto the balance sheet in the first quarter4. Revenues also reflect higher cardmember spending and higher travel commissions and fees, partially offset by lower interest income due to a smaller loan portfolio, and lower yields on the portfolio.

Consolidated provisions for losses totaled $239 million compared to $748 million in the year-ago period4, reflecting continued improvement in credit quality.

Consolidated expenses totaled $5.6 billion, up 17 percent from $4.8 billion a year ago, reflecting the decision to invest significantly in business building initiatives, as well as higher volume-related rewards costs and the previously discussed restructuring charges.

The company's return on average equity (ROE) was 27.5 percent, up from 14.6 percent a year ago.

?Continued investments in the business helped to generate higher consumer, small business and corporate card spending while expanding the use of our products online,? said Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer. ?With cardmember spending up 15 percent this period, we reached all-time records for the quarter and the full year.?

?Credit indicators strengthened and the amount we needed to set aside for problem loans declined significantly from a year ago. Unemployment levels and housing remain a concern, but other aspects of the economy continue to show signs of improvement.

?Against this backdrop, strong billings and credit quality gives us the flexibility to continue with substantial investments in marketing and infrastructure to build revenues and operate more efficiently in a marketplace being transformed by digital technologies.

?While we continue to retain the flexibility to scale back our investments as business conditions change, the progress we made during 2010 has put us in a strong competitive position for the next phase of the economic recovery."

Segment Results

U.S. Card Services reported fourth-quarter net income of $701 million, up 70 percent from $413 million a year ago.

Total revenues net of interest expense increased 18 percent to $3.8 billion from $3.2 billion. The increase largely reflects the consolidation of securitized cardmember loans and related debt onto the balance sheet in the first quarter4. Revenues also reflect higher cardmember spending, partially offset by lower interest income due to a smaller loan portfolio and lower yields on the portfolio.

Provisions for losses totaled $111 million, down 68 percent from $346 million a year ago4. The decline reflects continued improvement in credit quality.

Total expenses increased 18 percent. Marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services expenses increased 16 percent from the year-ago period, reflecting increased investments in marketing and promotion and volume-related rewards costs. Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses increased 22 percent from year-ago levels, primarily reflecting the previously discussed restructuring and other reengineering costs, and various technology and business building investments.

The effective tax rate was 34 percent compared to 36 percent in the year-ago quarter.

International Card Services reported fourth-quarter net income of $102 million, up 48 percent from $69 million a year ago.

Total revenues net of interest expense increased 2 percent to $1.2 billion reflecting higher cardmember spending, partially offset by lower interest income due to smaller lending balances and yield.

Provisions for losses totaled $80 million, down 75 percent from $324 million a year ago. The decline reflects continued improvement in credit quality.

Total expenses increased 23 percent. Marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services expenses increased 22 percent from year-ago levels, reflecting higher volume-related rewards costs and increased investments in marketing and promotion. Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses increased 23 percent from year-ago levels, primarily reflecting the previously discussed restructuring and other reengineering costs, and various sales force and business building investments.

The effective tax rate was 6 percent compared to negative 73 percent in the year-ago quarter. The tax rates in both periods primarily reflect the impact of recurring tax benefits on varying levels of performance.

Global Commercial Services reported fourth-quarter net income of $106 million, up 6 percent from $100 million a year ago.

Total revenues net of interest expense increased 7 percent to $1.2 billion, from $1.1 billion, reflecting increased spending by corporate cardmembers and higher travel commissions and fees.

Provisions for losses totaled $30 million, down 19 percent from $37 million a year ago.

Total expenses increased 9 percent. Marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services expenses increased 14 percent from the year-ago period, primarily reflecting higher volume-related rewards costs. Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses increased 9 percent from the year-ago period, primarily reflecting higher volume-related expenses and various business building investments.

The effective tax rate was 27 percent compared to 29 percent in the year-ago quarter.

Global Network & Merchant Services reported fourth quarter net income of $268 million, up 34 percent from $200 million a year ago.

Total revenues net of interest expense increased 15 percent to $1.2 billion, from $1.0 billion, reflecting higher merchant-related revenues driven by an increase in global card billed business, as well as an increase in revenues from Global Network Services' bank partners.

Total expenses increased 16 percent. Marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services expenses decreased 17 percent from the year-ago period. Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses increased 30 percent, primarily reflecting the previously mentioned restructuring and other reengineering costs, and various technology and business-building investments.

The effective tax rate was 32 percent compared to 38 percent in the year-ago quarter.

Corporate and Other reported fourth-quarter net loss of $115 million compared with net loss of $72 million a year ago. The results for both periods reflect income of $220 million ($136 million after-tax) for the previously announced MasterCard and Visa settlements.

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at www.americanexpress.com and connect with us on www.facebook.com/americanexpress, www.twitter.com/americanexpress and www.youtube.com/americanexpress.

The 2010 Fourth Quarter Earnings Supplement will be available today on the American Express web site at http://ir.americanexpress.com. An investor conference call will be held at 5:00 p.m. (ET) today to discuss fourth-quarter earnings results. Live audio and presentation slides for the investor conference call will be available to the general public at the same web site. A replay of the conference call will be available later today at the same web site address.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements, which address the company's expected business and financial performance, among other matters, contain words such as ?believe,? ?expect,? ?estimate,? ?anticipate,? ?optimistic,? ?intend,? ?plan,? ?aim,? ?will,? ?may,? ?should,? ?could,? ?would,? ?likely,? and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • changes in global economic and business conditions, including consumer and business spending, the availability and cost of credit, unemployment and political conditions, all of which may significantly affect spending on the Card, delinquency rates, loan balances and other aspects of our business and results of operations;
  • changes in capital and credit market conditions, which may significantly affect the company's ability to meet its liquidity needs, access to capital and cost of capital, including changes in interest rates; changes in market conditions affecting the valuation of our assets; or any reduction in our credit ratings or those of our subsidiaries, which could materially increase the cost and other terms of our funding, restrict our access to the capital markets or result in contingent payments under contracts;
  • litigation, such as class actions or proceedings brought by governmental and regulatory agencies (including the lawsuit filed against the Company by the U.S. Department of Justice and certain state attorneys general), that could result in (i) the imposition of behavioral remedies against the Company or the Company's voluntarily making certain changes to its business practices, the effects of which in either case could have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial performance; (ii) the imposition of substantial monetary damages in private actions against the Company; and/or (iii) damage to the Company's global reputation and brand;
  • legal and regulatory developments wherever we do business, including legislative and regulatory reforms in the United States, such as the Dodd-Frank Act's stricter regulation of large, interconnected financial institutions, changes in requirements relating to securitization and the establishment of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, which could make fundamental changes to many of our business practices or materially affect our capital requirements, results of operations, ability to pay dividends or repurchase our stock; or actions and potential future actions by the FDIC and credit rating agencies applicable to securitization trusts, which could impact the company's ABS program;
  • changes in the substantial and increasing worldwide competition in the payments industry, including competitive pressure that may impact the prices we charge merchants that accept our Cards and the success of marketing, promotion or rewards programs;
  • changes in technology or in our ability to protect our intellectual property (such as copyrights, trademarks, patents and controls on access and distribution), and invest in and compete at the leading edge of technological developments across our businesses, including technology and intellectual property of third parties whom we rely on, all of which could materially affect our results of operations;
  • data breaches and fraudulent activity, which could damage our brand, increase our costs or have regulatory implications, and changes in regulation affecting privacy and data security under federal, state and foreign law, which could result in higher compliance and technology costs to ourselves or our vendors;
  • changes in our ability to attract or retain qualified personnel in the management and operation of the company's business, including any changes that may result from increasing regulatory supervision of compensation practices;
  • changes in the financial condition and creditworthiness of our business partners, such as bankruptcies, restructurings or consolidations, involving merchants that represent a significant portion of our business, such as the airline industry, or our partners in Global Network Services or financial institutions that we rely on for routine funding and liquidity, which could materially affect our financial condition or results of operations;
  • uncertainties associated with business acquisitions, including the ability to realize anticipated business retention, growth and cost savings or effectively integrate the acquired business into our existing operations;
  • changes affecting the success of our reengineering and other cost control initiatives, which may result in the company not realizing all or a significant portion of the benefits that we intend;
  • the actual amount to be spent by the Company on investments in the business, including on marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services and certain other operating expenses, which will be based in part on management's assessment of competitive opportunities and the Company's performance and the ability to control and manage operating, infrastructure, advertising and promotion expenses as business expands or changes;
  • the effectiveness of the company's risk management policies and procedures, including credit risk relating to consumer debt, liquidity risk in meeting business requirements and operational risks;
  • changes affecting our ability to accept or maintain deposits due to market demand or regulatory constraints, such as changes in interest rates and regulatory restrictions on our ability to obtain deposit funding or offer competitive interest rates, which could affect our liquidity position and our ability to fund our business; and
  • factors beyond our control such as fire, power loss, disruptions in telecommunications, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorism, ?hackers? or fraud, which could affect travel-related spending or disrupt our global network systems and ability to process transactions.

A further description of these uncertainties and other risks can be found in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2010, and the company's other reports filed with the SEC.

1 Management believes the adjusted earnings per share, which is a non-GAAP measure, provides a useful metric to evaluate the ongoing operating performance of the company.

2 Refer to discussion regarding revenue drivers within the earnings release.

3 Represents income from continuing operations or net income, as applicable, less (i) accelerated preferred dividend accretion of $212 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 due to the repurchase of preferred shares from the U.S. Treasury Department, (ii) preferred shares dividends and related accretion of $94 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, and (iii) earnings allocated to participating share awards and other items of $12 million and $9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $51 million and $22 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

4 Upon the adoption of new accounting guidance governing the accounting for transfers of financial assets and consolidation of variable interest entities on January 1, 2010, the company began consolidating the assets and liabilities of its previously unconsolidated American Express Credit Account Master Trust (Lending Trust). Among the changes arising from the consolidation of the Lending Trust, expenses related to written-off securitized cardmember loans moved from revenues net of interest expense into provisions for losses.

All information in the following tables is presented on a basis prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), unless otherwise indicated.

 

           
(Preliminary)

American Express Company

Consolidated Statements of Income

 
(Millions)
Quarters Ended Years Ended
December 31, Percentage December 31, Percentage
2010 2009 Inc/(Dec) 2010 2009 Inc/(Dec)
 
Revenues
Non-interest revenues
Discount revenue $ 4,093 $ 3,645 12

%

$ 15,111 $ 13,389 13 %
Net card fees 534 549 (3 ) 2,102 2,151 (2 )
Travel commissions and fees 472 439 8 1,779 1,594 12
Other commissions and fees 519 438 18 2,031 1,778 14
Securitization income, net (A) N/A 190 - N/A 400 -
Other   514     518   (1 )   1,927     2,087   (8 )
Total non-interest revenues   6,132     5,779   6   22,950     21,399   7
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans 1,676 1,036 62 6,783 4,468 52
Interest and dividends on investment securities 98 225 (56 ) 443 804 (45 )
Deposits with banks and other   21     11   91   66     59   12
Total interest income   1,795     1,272   41   7,292     5,331   37
Interest expense
Deposits 140 126 11 546 425 28
Short-term borrowings 1 1 - 3 37 (92 )
Long-term debt and other   464     435   7   1,874     1,745   7
Total interest expense   605     562   8   2,423     2,207   10
Net interest income   1,190     710   68   4,869     3,124   56
Total revenues net of interest expense   7,322     6,489   13   27,819     24,523   13
Provisions for losses
Charge card 183 141 30 595 857 (31 )
Cardmember loans 37 560 (93 ) 1,527 4,266 (64 )
Other   19     47   (60 )   85     190   (55 )
Total provisions for losses   239     748   (68 )   2,207     5,313   (58 )
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses   7,083     5,741   23   25,612     19,210   33
 
Expenses
Marketing and promotion 810 713 14 3,054 1,914 60
Cardmember rewards 1,344 1,178 14 5,029 4,036 25
Cardmember services 155 143 8 561 517 9
Salaries and employee benefits 1,570 1,196 31 5,566 5,080 10
Professional services 908 715 27 2,806 2,408 17
Occupancy and equipment 428 495 (14 ) 1,562 1,619 (4 )
Communications 99 99 - 383 414 (7 )
Other, net   292     241   21   687     381   80
Total   5,606     4,780   17   19,648     16,369   20
Pretax income from continuing operations 1,477 961 54 5,964 2,841 #
Income tax provision   415     251   65   1,907     704   #
Income from continuing operations 1,062 710 50 4,057 2,137 90
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax   -     6   -   -     (7 ) -
Net income $ 1,062   $ 716   48 $ 4,057   $ 2,130   90
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders (B) $ 1,050   $ 701   50 $ 4,006   $ 1,809   #
Net income attributable to common shareholders (B) $ 1,050   $ 707   49 $ 4,006   $ 1,802   #
 
# - Denotes a variance of more than 100%.
 
(A) In accordance with the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, the Company no longer reports securitization income, net in its income statement.
(B) Represents income from continuing operations or net income, as applicable, less (i) accelerated preferred dividend accretion of $212 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 due to the repurchase of $3.39 billion of preferred shares issued as part of the Capital Purchase Program (CPP), (ii) preferred shares dividends and related accretion of $94 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, and (iii) earnings allocated to participating share awards and other items of $12 million and $9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $51 million and $22 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
(Preliminary)      

American Express Company

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 
(Billions)
 
December 31, December 31,
2010 2009
 
Assets
Cash $ 17 $ 17
Accounts receivable 40 38
Investment securities 14 24
Loans 58 30
Other assets   18     16  
Total assets $ 147   $ 125  
 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Customer deposits $ 30 $ 26
Short-term borrowings 3 2
Long-term debt 66 52
Other liabilities   32     31  
Total liabilities   131     111  
 
Shareholders' Equity   16     14  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 147   $ 125  
 
(Preliminary)            

American Express Company

Financial Summary

 
(Millions)
Quarters Ended Years Ended
December 31, Percentage December 31, Percentage
2010 2009 Inc/(Dec) 2010 2009 Inc/(Dec)
 

Total revenues net of interest expense

U.S. Card Services $ 3,769 $ 3,188 18

 %

$ 14,616 $ 12,153 20

 %

International Card Services 1,234 1,215 2 4,650 4,529 3
Global Commercial Services 1,152 1,072 7 4,402 3,983 11
Global Network & Merchant Services   1,190     1,031   15   4,373     3,780   16
7,345 6,506 13 28,041 24,445 15
Corporate & Other,
including adjustments and eliminations   (23 )   (17 ) 35   (222 )   78   #
 
CONSOLIDATED TOTAL REVENUES NET OF INTEREST EXPENSE $ 7,322   $ 6,489   13 $ 27,819   $ 24,523   13
 

Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations

U.S. Card Services $ 1,061 $ 646 64 $ 3,537 $ 586 #
International Card Services 108 40 # 638 276 #
Global Commercial Services 145 141 3 761 505 51
Global Network & Merchant Services   395     322   23   1,649     1,445   14
1,709 1,149 49 6,585 2,812 #
Corporate & Other   (232 )   (188 ) 23   (621 )   29   #
 
PRETAX INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ 1,477   $ 961   54 $ 5,964   $ 2,841   #
 

Net income (loss)

U.S. Card Services $ 701 $ 413 70 $ 2,246 $ 411 #
International Card Services 102 69 48 566 332 70
Global Commercial Services 106 100 6 474 350 35
Global Network & Merchant Services   268     200   34   1,063     937   13
1,177 782 51 4,349 2,030 #
Corporate & Other   (115 )   (72 ) 60   (292 )   107   #
Income from continuing operations 1,062 710 50 4,057 2,137 90
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax   -     6   -   -     (7 ) -
 
NET INCOME $ 1,062   $ 716   48 $ 4,057   $ 2,130   90
 
# - Denotes a variance of more than 100%.
 
(Preliminary)            

American Express Company

Financial Summary (continued)

 
 
Quarters Ended Years Ended
December 31, Percentage December 31, Percentage
2010 2009 Inc/(Dec) 2010 2009 Inc/(Dec)
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
BASIC
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders $ 0.88 $ 0.59 49 % $ 3.37 $ 1.55 # %
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations   -     0.01   -   -     (0.01 ) -
Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 0.88   $ 0.60   47 % $ 3.37   $ 1.54   # %
 
Average common shares outstanding (millions)   1,188     1,179   1 %   1,188     1,168   2 %
 
DILUTED
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders $ 0.88 $ 0.59 49 % $ 3.35 $ 1.54 # %
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations   -     0.01   -   -     -   -
Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 0.88   $ 0.60   47 % $ 3.35   $ 1.54   # %
 
Average common shares outstanding (millions)   1,194     1,184   1 %   1,195     1,171   2 %
 
Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.18   $ 0.18   - % $ 0.72   $ 0.72   - %
 
 

Selected Statistical Information

 
Quarters Ended Years Ended
December 31, Percentage December 31, Percentage
2010 2009 Inc/(Dec) 2010 2009 Inc/(Dec)
 
Return on average equity (A) 27.5 % 14.6 % 27.5 % 14.6 %
Return on average common equity (A) 27.2 % 13.6 % 27.2 % 13.6 %
Return on average tangible common equity (A) 35.1 % 17.6 % 35.1 % 17.6 %
Common shares outstanding (millions) 1,197 1,192 - % 1,197 1,192 - %
Book value per common share $ 13.56 $ 12.08 12 % $ 13.56 $ 12.08 12 %
Shareholders' equity (billions) $ 16.2 $ 14.4 13 % $ 16.2 $ 14.4 13 %
 
# - Denotes a variance of more than 100%.
 
(A) Refer to Appendix I for components of return on average equity, return on average common equity and return on average tangible common equity.

Media:
Joanna Lambert, 212-640-9668
joanna.g.lambert@aexp.com
Mike O'Neill, 212-640-5951
mike.o'neill@aexp.com
or
Investors/Analysts:
Toby Willard, 212-640-1958
sherwood.s.willardjr@aexp.com
Ron Stovall, 212-640-5574
ronald.stovall@aexp.com