American Express, also known as Amex, is a global financial services company specializing in payment cards. Founded in 1850 as a freight forwarding company, it's evolved into an integrated payments company, offering charge and credit cards, travel services, and more. Headquartered in New York City, American Express is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and a globally recognized brand. The company operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. In February 2026, its market capitalization was approximately $248.27 billion.
Stephen J. Squeri has been the Chairman and CEO of American Express since 2018. Amex is the 65th most valuable company in the world. American Express cards are accepted at 99% of U.S. merchants that take credit cards. However, they face lower acceptance rates in Europe and Asia. The company's core business revolves around issuing consumer and commercial cards, managing a global network for card acceptance and processing, delivering travel-related services, and running customer loyalty programs. Recent news includes American Express increasing the annual fee for its Platinum card to $895 and adding new cardholder benefits in September 2025. In January 2026, the company reported its full-year and fourth-quarter 2025 financial results.