American Express Raises Its Profit Outlook but Cuts 3,500 Jobs as Costs Climb
American Express (AXP) raised its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $17.60-$17.90, up from $17.30-$17.90, after Q3 adjusted EPS rose 13% to $4.68. The company plans to cut 3,500 jobs (5% of workforce) due to rising costs, including a 15.5% increase in variable customer engagement costs. Shares fell 3.73% to $313.03 on October 23.
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
The mixed news of higher guidance but rising costs led to a modest share decline, highlighting margin concerns for premium‑card issuers.
Market read
The earnings guidance and restructuring announcement provide fresh material for short‑term traders and may influence sentiment across the consumer‑finance sector.
What to watch
The $982 M gain from the GBTG stake sale offsets the restructuring charge, and the variable cost increase may be temporary as new product pricing stabilises.
Background
American Express reported Q3 2026 results with record revenue, a 13% EPS jump, and announced a restructuring plan to cut 5% of its workforce.
Ticker impact
American Express raised 2026 EPS guidance to $17.60‑$17.90 and announced a $336 M restructuring charge with 3,500 job cuts, causing the stock to fall 3.73% on Friday.
likely downward pressure as investors digest higher costs despite the guidance increase
The EPS guidance bump is small relative to the 15.5% rise in engagement costs and the announced restructuring, which may compress margins and trigger sell‑offs.
Market effects
Higher variable costs could pressure other premium‑card issuers and the broader consumer‑finance sector.
U.S. financial services stocks may see modest weakness in the near term.
Limited to markets tracking U.S. credit‑card and payment‑processor performance.
Counterpoint
The guidance raise may signal resilience; investors could view the job cuts as a proactive efficiency move and bid the stock higher on the back of improved earnings outlook.
Key entities
- companyAmerican Express
U.S. credit‑card and payment services provider (ticker AXP).



