New York, January 26, 2026, 16:17 EST — After-hours trading
- After the close, American Express shares ticked up 0.5%, gaining $1.64 to reach $363.33.
- Wednesday’s Federal Reserve decision looms large as traders prepare for a packed week of earnings.
- Investors are eyeing AmEx’s Friday earnings for insights into spending and credit trends.
American Express Company shares gained $1.64, or 0.5%, closing at $363.33 in after-hours trading Monday, a period known for lighter volume after the 4 p.m. ET market close. The stock fluctuated between $360.10 and $364.75 during the session.
The shift was slight, yet its timing is crucial. Investors face a week poised to jolt rate expectations and consumer spending forecasts, as the Fed and major corporate earnings reports come in quick succession.
U.S. stocks ended Monday on a positive note, with the S&P 500 rising 0.5% and the Dow gaining 0.6%, as traders prepared for big tech earnings and Wednesday’s Fed policy decision. “Communications and technology are trading well today,” noted Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at Northlight Asset Management. Chris Larkin from E*Trade at Morgan Stanley cautioned that “Wednesday’s Fed announcement will likely keep politics in the headlines.” Reuters
Other payments and card-linked stocks firmed up late in trading. Visa climbed 0.7%, Mastercard edged up 0.5%, and Capital One jumped 1.3%.
American Express is gearing up for a key moment: its earnings report. Investors will focus closely on any shifts in commentary around travel and entertainment spending, as well as updates on credit quality, such as delinquencies and charge-offs.
Analysts tracked by Barchart are forecasting roughly $3.55 per share for the December quarter, up from $3.04 in the same period last year. Full-year earnings estimates hover near $15.40 per share.
Rates linger in the background, but they’re far from silent. Any unexpected shift in Fed messaging can jolt the entire sector, particularly those linked to consumer borrowing.
Bond investors appear to be bracing for a longer pause in Fed rate cuts, with the central bank expected to keep the benchmark rate steady between 3.50% and 3.75% this Wednesday, Reuters reported. Tony Rodriguez, Nuveen’s head of fixed income strategy, said, “A pause makes a lot of sense.” John Flahive of Insight Investment advised clients to “get out of cash, but don’t be overly aggressive.” According to Reuters, futures pricing currently suggests about 44 basis points of easing this year — that’s less than two quarter-point cuts. Reuters
This matters for card lenders because rate changes have a double edge: they can boost interest income on revolving balances, yet also pressure borrowers and increase losses when the cycle shifts. Investors usually focus less on a single quarter’s revenue and more on management’s take on credit normalization.
The downside is straightforward. Should the Fed turn out more hawkish than anticipated, or if American Express reports weaker billed business, bigger loan loss provisions, or a sudden spike in charge-offs, the stock could fall despite beating revenue estimates.
After-hours gains often don’t hold come the next session. But AXP faces a busier stretch this week, with major macro and company events lining up back-to-back.
Wednesday’s Fed statement and Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference will be the next major event to watch. Then on Friday at 8:30 a.m. ET, American Express is set to report its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings.
