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American Express Delivers 260% Five-Year Return, Buffett-Backed Bet Tops the S&P 500

Five-year gains reflect heavier card spending with sharp profit growth since 2020.

Overview

  • A $10,000 investment five years ago would be about $36,000 as of Oct. 20, substantially outperforming the S&P 500.
  • From Q3 2020 to Q3 2025, revenue net of interest rose roughly 111% on higher spending volumes and a 36% increase in active cards.
  • In the latest reported quarter, earnings per share reached $4.14 versus $3.99 expected, revenue rose 11% to $18.43 billion, and net income increased 16% to $2.9 billion.
  • Berkshire Hathaway holds a 21.8% stake in American Express, underscoring long-term backing from Warren Buffett.
  • Despite strong performance, The Motley Fool’s Stock Advisor did not include American Express in its most recent list of 10 top stocks.