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AMX AMX Index

831.70
-0.30 (-0.04%)
20 Dec 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Name Symbol Market Type
AMX Index EU:AMX Euronext Index
  Price Change % Change Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Traded Last Trade
  -0.30 -0.04% 831.70 833.23 821.41 827.40 0 16:35:30

Final Results

26/01/2004 6:26pm

UK Regulatory


    American Express Reports Record Results for 2003 and Fourth Quarter 
                                        
    NEW YORK, Jan. 26 -- American Express Company today 
reported record earnings for 2003. 
 
                 Growth in Cardmember Spending and Borrowing, 
              Excellent Credit Quality and Higher Client Assets 
                  Reflect Strong Momentum in Key Businesses 
                                        
               (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) 
 
                        Quarters Ended  Percentage   Years Ended   Percentage 
                          December 31    Inc/(Dec)   December 31    Inc/(Dec) 
                        2003      2002             2003      2002           
 
     Revenues          $7,068    $6,196     14%  $25,866   $23,807      9%  
      
     Income Before  
      Accounting  
      Change             $776      $683     14%   $3,000    $2,671     12%  
     Net Income          $763*     $683     12%   $2,987*   $2,671     12%  
      
     Earnings Per  
      Common Share  
      - Basic:   
       Income Before  
        Accounting  
        Change          $0.61     $0.52     17%    $2.34     $2.02     16%  
       Net income       $0.60*    $0.52     15%    $2.33*    $2.02     15%  
 
     Earnings Per  
      Common Share  
      - Diluted:         
       Income Before  
        Accounting  
        Change          $0.60     $0.52     15%    $2.31     $2.01     15%  
       Net income       $0.59*    $0.52     13%    $2.30*    $2.01     14%  
      
     Average Common  
      Shares  
      Outstanding    
       Basic            1,277     1,309    (2)%    1,284     1,320    (3)%  
       Diluted          1,299     1,317    (1)%    1,298     1,330    (2)%  
      
     Return on  
      Average Total  
      Shareholders'        
      Equity**          20.6%     20.2%      -     20.6%     20.2%      -  
 
     * Reflects a $20 million non-cash pre-tax charge ($13 million after-tax),      
     or $0.01 on both a basic and diluted per share basis, relating to the  
     December 31, 2003 adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)  
     Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" (FIN  
     46), revised December 2003. 
      
     ** Computed on a trailing 12-month basis using total Shareholders' Equity  
     as included in the Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in  
     accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United  
     States (GAAP).   
    
    Diluted earnings per share (EPS) before accounting change rose to $2.31, 
up 15 percent from $2.01 a year ago. EPS after accounting change was $2.30, up 
14 percent.  Income before accounting change was $3.0 billion, up 12 percent 
from $2.67 billion. Net income was $2.99 billion, also up 12 percent.   
    On December 31, 2003, the company adopted Financial Accounting Standards 
Board's (FASB) accounting rule FIN 46 (as revised) and recognized a fourth 
quarter $20 million non-cash pre-tax charge ($13 million after-tax) at 
American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA). 
    The company's 2003 return on equity was 20.6 percent.   
    Revenues totaled $25.9 billion, up 9 percent from $23.8 billion a year 
ago.  This growth reflects a strong rise in cardmember spending, lending 
balances and cards-in-force.  It also reflects increased revenue from higher 
asset levels at AEFA.   
    Consolidated expenses totaled $21.6 billion, up 8 percent from $20.1 
billion a year ago.  This increase primarily reflects higher expenses for 
marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services, human resources and 
other operating costs.  
    For the fourth quarter, American Express reported EPS before accounting 
change of $0.60, up 15 percent from $0.52 a year ago.  EPS after accounting 
change was $0.59, up 13 percent.  Income before accounting change was $776 
million, up 14 percent from $683 million.  Net income was $763 million, up 12 
percent.   
    "We delivered record results for the full year as well as the fourth 
quarter and are in an excellent position to capitalize on an improving economy 
as we enter 2004," said Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and CEO.  
    "Higher investment spending over the past year or so has substantially 
improved our competitive position and is generating strong growth in 
cardmember spending and loan volumes.  Credit quality continues to be 
outstanding. We are also benefiting from stronger equity markets as well as an 
improvement in the travel sector. 
    "During the latter part of 2003 our momentum was even better than we 
originally expected and produced results that exceeded our earlier forecast."   
    In October, the company said that it believed 2003 EPS before accounting 
change would be at the high end of its previous guidance of $2.26 to $2.29. As 
noted earlier, EPS for 2003 before accounting change was $2.31. 
    
    2003 Results 
    The overall increase in 2003 revenues reflected 8 percent growth at Travel 
Related Services (TRS), 10 percent growth at AEFA and 7 percent growth at 
American Express Bank (AEB).  More specifically, 
     * Discount revenue rose 11 percent, reflecting a 13 percent increase in  
       cardmember spending.   
     * Net finance charge revenue increased 12 percent, reflecting continued  
       strong growth in the cardmember lending portfolio.   
     * Management and distribution fees rose 7 percent, reflecting in part  
       higher asset levels at AEFA. 
     * Insurance and annuity-related revenues rose 12 percent. 
 
    The overall rise in expenses for 2003 reflected increases of 7 percent at 
TRS, 12 percent at AEFA and 4 percent at AEB.  More specifically, the overall 
increase reflected:  
     * A 25 percent increase in marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember  
       services expenses, driven by a 26 percent increase at TRS.  
     * An 11 percent increase in human resources expense, driven by merit  
       increases, employee benefits and management incentives, reflecting in  
       part the decision to expense stock options in 2003.   
     * An 8 percent increase in other operating expenses, including an 8   
       percent increase at TRS.   
    These items were partially offset by a 16 percent decline in interest 
expense, reflecting a 22 percent decline in charge card interest expense at 
TRS, and a 3 percent decrease in provision for losses, including an 11 percent 
decline at TRS. 
 
    Travel Related Services (TRS) reported record 2003 net income of $2.43 
billion, up 14 percent from $2.14 billion a year ago.   
 
    The following discussion of full-year results presents TRS segment results 
on a "managed basis," as if there had been no cardmember lending 
securitization transactions.  This is the basis used by management to evaluate 
operations and is consistent with industry practice.  For further information 
about managed basis and reconciliation of GAAP and managed TRS information, 
see the "Managed Basis" section below.  The AEFA, AEB and Corporate and Other 
sections below are presented on a GAAP basis. 
 
    Total net revenues rose 8 percent to a record $20.1 billion, reflecting 
strong growth in spending and borrowing on American Express Cards.   
    The 2003 results reflected higher average cardmember spending, the 
continued benefit of rewards programs and the addition of 3.5 million cards-
in-force.  The higher business volumes were driven by strong growth in retail 
and everyday spending categories, and by a notable improvement in the travel 
and entertainment sector particularly during the fourth quarter. 
    Net finance charge revenue increased 8 percent, reflecting 13 percent 
growth in average loan balances partially offset by a lower net interest 
yield.  Net card fees increased 6 percent primarily as a result of a higher 
number of cards-in-force. Travel commissions and fees grew 7 percent driven by 
improving travel sales and the acquisition of Rosenbluth International in the 
fourth quarter.  
    Total expenses increased 6 percent reflecting greater expenses for 
marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services, human resources and 
other operating costs. These increases were partially offset by lower interest 
costs, reduced provisions for losses and cost-control initiatives.  
    Marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services expenses increased 
27 percent, primarily reflecting the previously announced plans to expand 
card-acquisition and cardmember loyalty programs.   
    Human resources expense increased 9 percent largely due to merit 
increases, higher employee benefits and management incentives.  Other 
operating expenses increased 8 percent. 
    Credit quality remained very strong in both the charge and credit card 
portfolios.  The total provision for losses declined 9 percent, reflecting a 
decline of 7 percent in the lending provision and a decline of 11 percent in 
the charge card provision.  Reserve coverage ratios remained at historically 
strong levels despite higher loan and receivable balances. 
    Charge card interest expense decreased 20 percent largely due to lower 
funding costs.  This decrease was partially offset by higher average 
receivable balances.  
    TRS reported fourth quarter 2003 net income of $606 million, up 10 percent 
from $550 million a year ago.  On both a GAAP and managed basis, the increase 
reflected improved business volumes, as well as a decrease in provision for 
losses and lower funding costs.  These factors were partially offset by an 
increase in marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services expenses. 
 
    American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA) reported 2003 income before 
accounting change of $682 million, up 8 percent from $632 million a year ago. 
Net income rose to $669 million, up 6 percent. Total revenues increased 10 
percent. 
    Investment income rose 11 percent, reflecting a higher level of owned 
investments and lower investment losses, which were partially offset by lower 
yields.  Owned assets increased due to the cumulative benefit of sales during 
the past two years of annuities, insurance and certificate products.     
    Management and distribution fees as well as assets under management 
increased from year-ago levels.  This improvement reflected the Threadneedle 
acquisition and higher brokerage revenue.   
    Other revenues rose from last year reflecting strong performance in the 
property-casualty and life insurance businesses. 
    Human resources and other operating expenses rose a combined 14 percent 
from year-ago levels, reflecting merit increases, higher employee benefits, 
management incentive costs and the Threadneedle acquisition.   
    The after-tax results reflect a tax benefit related to the tax treatment 
of dividend income. 
    AEFA reported fourth quarter income before accounting change of $195 
million, up 28 percent from $153 million a year ago.  Net income rose to $182 
million, up 19 percent.  This increase primarily reflected improved equity 
market conditions.   
 
    American Express Bank (AEB) reported net income for 2003 of $102 million, 
up 27 percent from $80 million a year ago.   
    AEB's results reflect lower provision for losses primarily due to the 
continued stabilization of write-offs in the consumer-lending portfolio.  The 
results also reflected higher fee-related, foreign exchange and other revenues 
in Private Banking and the Financial Institutions Group.  These benefits were 
partially offset by lower net interest income and higher operating expenses.  
    AEB reported fourth quarter 2003 net income of $29 million, up 22 percent 
from $24 million a year ago.   
 
    Corporate and Other reported 2003 net expenses of $214 million compared 
with $176 million in 2002.  Included in results for 2002 were the final 
preferred stock dividends from Lehman Brothers, totaling $69 million ($59 
million after-tax).  These dividends were offset by expenses related to 
business-building initiatives. 
    Corporate and Other reported fourth quarter 2003 net expenses of $54 
million, compared with $44 million a year ago. 
 
    Other Items 
    The company adopted a new accounting rule on December 31, 2003:  FASB 
Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" (FIN 46), 
as revised. 
    FIN 46 requires the consolidation of certain structured investments that 
AEFA either owns or manages for third parties. 
    The company recognized a below-the-line, non-cash charge of $13 million 
after-tax relating to this accounting change.  The charge is lower than the 
company's preliminary estimate provided in July 2003 due to subsequent revised 
FASB guidance related to the rules and market factors as of December 31, 2003. 
 
    Managed Basis - TRS 
    Managed basis means the presentation assumes there have been no 
securitization transactions, i.e. all securitized cardmember loans and related 
income effects are reflected as if they were in the company's balance sheet 
and income statements, respectively.  The company presents TRS information on 
a managed basis because that is the way the company's management views and 
manages the business.  Management believes that a full picture of trends in 
the company's cardmember lending business can only be derived by evaluating 
the performance of both securitized and non-securitized cardmember loans.   
    Asset securitization is just one of several ways for the company to fund 
cardmember loans.  Use of a managed basis presentation, including non-
securitized and securitized cardmember loans, presents a more accurate picture 
of the key dynamics of the cardmember lending business, avoiding distortions 
due to the mix of funding sources at any particular point in time.   
    For example, irrespective of the funding mix, it is important for 
management and investors to see metrics, such as changes in delinquencies and 
write-off rates, for the entire cardmember lending portfolio because they are 
more representative of the economics of the aggregate cardmember relationships 
and ongoing business performance and trends over time.  It is also important 
for investors to see the overall growth of cardmember loans and related 
revenue and changes in market share, which are all significant metrics in 
evaluating the company's performance and which can only be properly assessed 
when all non-securitized and securitized cardmember loans are viewed together 
on a managed basis. 
    The Consolidated Section of this press release and attachments provide the 
GAAP presentation for items described on a managed basis. 
 
    The following table reconciles the GAAP-basis TRS income statements to the 
managed-basis information. 
 
 
    Travel Related Services 
    Selected Financial Information 
     (Unaudited) 
    Years Ended December 31, 
     (millions) 
 
    Preliminary 
                                                    GAAP Basis 
                                          --------------------------------- 
                                                                Percentage 
                                            2003       2002      Inc/(Dec) 
                                          --------------------------------- 
                                      
    Net revenues: 
     Discount revenue                      $8,781     $7,931       10.7% 
     Net card fees                          1,835      1,726        6.3 
     Lending: 
      Finance charge revenue                2,525      2,338        8.0 
      Interest expense                        483        510       (5.2) 
                                          --------   -------- 
       Net finance charge revenue           2,042      1,828       11.7 
     Travel commissions and fees            1,507      1,408        7.0 
     Other commissions and fees             1,901      1,833        3.7 
     Travelers Cheque investment 
      income                                  367        375       (2.2)  
     Securitization income, net             1,150      1,049        9.7 
     Other revenues                         1,606      1,571        2.3 
                                          --------   -------- 
           Total net revenues              19,189     17,721        8.3 
                                          --------   -------- 
    Expenses: 
     Marketing, promotion, rewards     
      and cardmember services               3,814      3,027       26.0 
     Provision for losses and 
      claims: 
        Charge card                           853        960      (11.1) 
        Lending                             1,218      1,369      (11.0) 
        Other                                 127        149      (14.1) 
                                          --------   -------- 
         Total                              2,198      2,478      (11.3) 
     Charge card interest expense             786      1,001      (21.6) 
     Human resources                        3,822      3,503        9.1 
     Other operating expenses               4,998      4,636        7.8 
     Restructuring charges                     -          (4)        - 
                                          --------   -------- 
           Total expenses                  15,618     14,641        6.7 
                                          --------   -------- 
    Pretax income                           3,571      3,080       15.9 
    Income tax provision                    1,141        945       20.7 
                                          --------   -------- 
    Net income                             $2,430     $2,135       13.8 
                                          ========   ======== 
 
    Travel Related Services 
    Selected Financial Information 
     (Unaudited) 
    Years Ended December 31, 
     (millions) 
     
    Preliminary 
                                 Securitization                                     
                                     Effect               Managed Basis 
                                ----------------   -------------------------- 
                                                                    Percentage 
                                 2003      2002      2003     2002   Inc/(Dec) 
                                ----------------   -------------------------- 
                               
    Net revenues:                              
     Discount revenue 
     Net card fees                 
     Lending: 
      Finance charge revenue    $2,172    $2,166    $4,697   $4,504     4.3% 
      Interest expense             272       340       755      850   (11.1) 
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
       Net finance charge  
        revenue                  1,900     1,826     3,942    3,654     7.9 
     Travel commissions and fees 
     Other commissions and fees    193       185     2,094    2,018     3.8 
     Travelers Cheque investment 
      income 
     Securitization income, net (1,150)   (1,049)        -        -       - 
     Other revenues                  -       (14)    1,606    1,557     3.2           
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
           Total net revenues      943       948    20,132   18,669     7.8 
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
    Expenses: 
     Marketing, promotion, rewards 
      and cardmember services      (74)      (81)    3,740    2,946    27.0 
     Provision for losses and 
      claims: 
        Charge card                   
        Lending                  1,067     1,098     2,285    2,467    (7.4) 
        Other 
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
         Total                   1,067     1,098     3,265    3,576    (8.7) 
     Charge card interest  
      expense                        -       (14)      786      987   (20.4) 
     Human resources                                 
     Other operating expenses      (50)      (55)    4,948    4,581     8.0 
     Restructuring charges 
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
           Total expenses         $943      $948   $16,561  $15,589     6.2 
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
     
  
    Travel Related Services 
    Selected Financial Information 
     (Unaudited) 
    Quarters Ended December 31, 
     (millions) 
 
    Preliminary 
                                                    GAAP Basis 
                                          --------------------------------- 
                                                                Percentage 
                                            2003       2002      Inc/(Dec) 
                                          --------------------------------- 
                                      
    Net revenues: 
     Discount revenue                      $2,432     $2,122       14.6% 
     Net card fees                            467        435        7.1 
     Lending: 
      Finance charge revenue                  654        602        8.7 
      Interest expense                        123        132       (6.0) 
                                          --------   -------- 
       Net finance charge revenue             531        470       12.9 
     Travel commissions and fees              445        369       20.9 
     Other commissions and fees               515        476        8.2 
     Travelers Cheque investment 
      income                                   93         94       (1.2)  
     Securitization income, net               293        284        3.2 
     Other revenues                           435        415        5.2 
                                          --------   -------- 
           Total net revenues               5,211      4,665       11.7 
                                          --------   -------- 
    Expenses: 
     Marketing, promotion, rewards     
      and cardmember services               1,141        796       43.3 
     Provision for losses and 
      claims: 
        Charge card                           227        237       (3.8) 
        Lending                               330        414      (20.2) 
        Other                                  28         26       11.1 
                                          --------   -------- 
         Total                                585        677      (13.3) 
     Charge card interest expense             187        252      (26.0) 
     Human resources                        1,003        852       17.7 
     Other operating expenses               1,411      1,279       10.3 
     Restructuring charges                      -         15          - 
                                          --------   -------- 
           Total expenses                   4,327      3,871       11.8 
                                          --------   -------- 
    Pretax income                             884        794       11.3 
    Income tax provision                      278        244       13.9 
                                          --------   -------- 
    Net income                               $606       $550       10.2 
     
                                          ========   ======== 
     
 
 
    Travel Related Services 
    Selected Financial Information 
     (Unaudited) 
    Quarters Ended December 31, 
     (millions) 
 
    Preliminary 
                                 Securitization                                     
                                     Effect               Managed Basis 
                                ----------------   -------------------------- 
                                                                    Percentage 
                                 2003      2002      2003     2002   Inc/(Dec) 
                                ----------------   -------------------------- 
                               
    Net revenues:                              
     Discount revenue 
     Net card fees                 
     Lending: 
      Finance charge revenue     $532      $553    $1,186   $1,155     2.8% 
      Interest expense             84        89       207      221    (5.1)           
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
       Net finance charge  
        revenue                   448       464       979      934     4.6 
     Travel commissions and fees 
     Other commissions and fees    53        48       568      524     8.5 
     Travelers Cheque investment 
      income 
     Securitization income, net  (293)     (284)        -        -       - 
     Other revenues                 -        (4)      435      411     6.1            
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
           Total net revenues     208       224     5,419    4,889    10.8 
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
    Expenses: 
     Marketing, promotion, rewards 
      and cardmember services 
     Provision for losses and 
      claims: 
        Charge card                   
        Lending                   208       227       538      641   (16.3) 
        Other 
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
         Total                    208       227       793      904   (12.3) 
     Charge card interest  
      expense                       -        (3)      187      249   (24.9) 
     Human resources                                 
     Other operating expenses 
     Restructuring charges 
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
           Total expenses        $208      $224    $4,535   $4,095    10.7 
                               -------   -------   -------  ------- 
     
    American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com), founded in 1850, is a 
global travel, financial and network services provider. 
 
    Note:  The 2003 Fourth Quarter/Full Year Earnings Supplement, as well as 
CFO Gary Crittenden's presentation from the investor conference call referred 
to below, will be available today on the American Express web site at 
http://ir.americanexpress.com.  An investor conference call to discuss fourth 
quarter earnings results, operating performance and other topics that may be 
raised during the discussion will be held at 5:00 p.m. (ET) today.  Live audio 
of the conference call will be accessible to the general public on the 
American Express web site at http://ir.americanexpress.com.  A replay of the 
conference call also will be available today at the same web site address. 
      
    This release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to 
risks and uncertainties. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," 
"optimistic," "intend," "plan," "aim," "will," "may,"  "should," "could," 
"would," "likely," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-
looking statements. 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 company's ability to successfully implement a business model that 
allows for significant earnings growth based on revenue growth that is lower 
than historical levels, including the ability to improve its operating expense 
to revenue ratio both in the short-term and over time, which will depend in 
part on the effectiveness of re-engineering and other cost-control 
initiatives, as well as factors impacting the company's revenues; the 
company's ability to moderate the quarterly growth rate of its marketing, 
promotion, rewards and cardmember services expenses to levels below the fourth 
quarter of 2003; the company's ability to grow its business and meet or exceed 
its return on shareholders' equity target by reinvesting approximately 35% of 
annually-generated capital, and returning approximately 65% of such capital to 
shareholders, over time, which will depend on the company's ability to manage 
its capital needs and the effect of business mix, acquisitions and rating 
agency requirements; the ability of the company to generate sufficient 
revenues for expanded investment spending and to actually spend such funds to 
the extent available, and the ability to capitalize on such investments to 
improve business metrics; credit risk related to consumer debt, business 
loans, merchant bankruptcies and other credit exposures both in the U.S. and 
internationally; fluctuation in the equity and fixed income markets, which can 
affect the amount and types of investment products sold by AEFA, the market 
value of its managed assets, and management, distribution and other fees 
received based on the value of those assets; AEFA's ability to recover 
Deferred Acquisition Costs (DAC), as well as the timing of such DAC 
amortization, in connection with the sale of annuity, insurance and certain 
mutual fund products; changes in assumptions relating to DAC, which could 
impact the amount of DAC amortization; the ability to improve investment 
performance in AEFA's businesses, including attracting and retaining high-
quality personnel; the success, timeliness and financial impact, including 
costs, cost savings and other benefits including increased revenues, of re-
engineering initiatives being implemented or considered by the company, 
including cost management, structural and strategic measures such as vendor, 
process, facilities and operations consolidation, outsourcing (including, 
among others, technologies operations), relocating certain functions to lower-
cost overseas locations, moving internal and external functions to the 
Internet to save costs, and planned staff reductions relating to certain of 
such re-engineering actions; the ability to control and manage operating, 
infrastructure, advertising and promotion and other expenses as business 
expands or changes, including balancing the need for longer-term investment 
spending; the potential negative effect on the company's businesses and 
infrastructure, including information technology systems, terrorist attacks, 
disasters or other catastrophic events in the future; the impact on the 
company's businesses resulting from continuing geopolitical uncertainty; the 
overall level of consumer confidence; consumer and business spending on the 
company's travel related services products, particularly credit and charge 
cards and growth in card lending balances, which depend in part on the ability 
to issue new and enhanced card products and increase revenues from such 
products, attract new cardholders, capture a greater share of existing 
cardholders' spending, sustain premium discount rates, increase merchant 
coverage, retain cardmembers after low introductory lending rates have 
expired, and expand the global network services business; the ability to 
manage and expand cardmember benefits, including Membership Rewards(R), in a 
cost effective manner and to accurately estimate the provision for the cost of 
the Membership Rewards program; the triggering of obligations to make payments 
to certain co-brand partners, merchants, vendors and customers under 
contractual arrangements with such parties under certain circumstances; 
successfully cross-selling financial, travel, card and other products and 
services to the company's customer base, both in the United States and 
internationally; a downturn in the company's businesses and/or negative 
changes in the company's and its subsidiaries' credit ratings, which could 
result in contingent payments under contracts, decreased liquidity and higher 
borrowing costs; fluctuations in interest rates, which impact the company's 
borrowing costs, return on lending products and spreads in the investment and 
insurance businesses; credit trends and the rate of bankruptcies, which can 
affect spending on card products, debt payments by individual and corporate 
customers and businesses that accept the company's card products and returns 
on the company's investment portfolios; fluctuations in foreign currency 
exchange rates; political or economic instability in certain regions or 
countries, which could affect lending and other commercial activities, among 
other businesses, or restrictions on convertibility of certain currencies; 
changes in laws or government regulations; the costs and integration of 
acquisitions; and outcomes and costs associated with litigation and compliance 
and regulatory matters.  A further description of these and other risks and 
uncertainties can be found in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2002, and its other reports filed with the SEC. 
 
    All information in the following tables is presented on a basis prepared 
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United 
States (GAAP), unless otherwise indicated. 
 
    (Preliminary) 
 
                      AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY 
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
                             (Unaudited) 
 
    (Millions) 
 
                                           Quarters Ended   
                                             December 31,   
                                         ------------------   Percentage  
                                          2003        2002     Inc/(Dec)  
                                         ------      ------   ----------  
    Revenues 
      Discount revenue                   $2,432      $2,122      14.6 %    
      Net investment income                 786         816      (3.7)     
      Management and distribution fees      758         528      43.4      
      Cardmember lending net 
       finance charge revenue               531         470      12.9  
      Net card fees                         467         435       7.1  
      Travel commissions and fees           445         369      20.9   
      Other commissions and fees            487         505      (3.8) 
      Insurance and annuity revenues        366         317      15.7    
      Securitization income, net            293         284       3.2    
      Other                                 503         350      44.4    
                                         ------      ------        
        Total revenues                    7,068       6,196      14.1    
    Expenses 
      Human resources                     1,708       1,379      23.8    
      Provision for losses and benefits   1,164       1,250      (6.9) 
      Marketing, promotion, rewards 
          and cardmember services         1,166         822      41.9    
      Interest                              205         270     (24.0)   
      Other operating expenses            1,735       1,512      14.8    
      Restructuring charges                   -          14         -    
      Disaster recovery charge                -           -         -    
                                         ------      ------     
        Total expenses                    5,978       5,247      13.9    
                                         ------      ------    
    Pretax income before  
      accounting change                   1,090         949      14.8    
    Income tax provision                    314         266      17.5    
                                         ------      ------           
    Income before accounting change         776         683      13.7 
    Cumulative effect of accounting 
      change, net of tax (A)                (13)          -         - 
                                         ------      ------ 
    Net income                             $763        $683      11.8 %  
                                         ======      ======   
     
    Note: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform 
          to current year presentation. 
 
    (A) Reflects a $20 million non-cash pre-tax charge ($13 million after-tax)   
        related to the December 31, 2003 adoption of FIN 46, as revised. 
 
 
    (Preliminary) 
 
                           AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY 
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
                                 (Unaudited) 
 
     (Millions) 
 
                                            Years Ended 
                                            December 31, 
                                         ------------------   Percentage 
                                          2003        2002     Inc/(Dec) 
                                         ------      ------   ---------- 
    Revenues 
      Discount revenue                   $8,781      $7,931      10.7 % 
      Net investment income               3,063       2,991       2.4 
      Management and distribution fees    2,450       2,285       7.2 
      Cardmember lending net 
         finance charge revenue           2,042       1,828      11.7 
      Net card fees                       1,835       1,726       6.3 
      Travel commissions and fees         1,507       1,408       7.0 
      Other commissions and fees          1,977       1,928       2.5 
      Insurance and annuity revenues      1,366       1,218      12.2 
      Securitization income, net          1,150       1,049       9.7 
      Other                               1,695       1,443      17.5 
                                         ------      ------ 
        Total revenues                   25,866      23,807       8.7 
    Expenses 
      Human resources                     6,333       5,725      10.6 
      Provision for losses and benefits   4,429       4,586      (3.4) 
      Marketing, promotion, rewards 
          and cardmember services         3,901       3,119      25.1 
      Interest                              905       1,082     (16.4) 
      Other operating expenses            6,053       5,582       8.5 
      Restructuring charges                  (2)         (7)    (75.8) 
      Disaster recovery charge                -          (7)        - 
                                         ------      ------ 
        Total expenses                   21,619      20,080       7.7 
                                         ------      ------ 
    Pretax income before 
      accounting change                   4,247       3,727      13.9 
    Income tax provision                  1,247       1,056      18.0 
                                         ------      ------ 
    Income before accounting change       3,000       2,671      12.3 
    Cumulative effect of accounting 
      change, net of tax (A)                (13)          -         - 
                                         ------      ------ 
    Net income                           $2,987      $2,671      11.8 % 
                                         ======      ====== 
     
     Note: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to   
           current year presentation. 
 
    (A) Reflects a $20 million non-cash pre-tax charge ($13 million after-tax)   
        related to the December 31, 2003 adoption of FIN 46, as revised. 
 
 
     (Preliminary) 
                                        
                           AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY 
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
                                 (Unaudited) 
 
     (Billions) 
 
                                       December 31,    December 31, 
                                          2003            2002 
                                       ------------    ------------ 
    Assets 
      Cash and cash equivalents        $          6    $         10 
      Accounts receivable                        31              29 
      Investments                                57              54 
      Loans                                      32              28 
      Separate account assets                    31              22 
      Other assets                               18              14 
                                       ------------    ------------ 
        Total assets                   $        175    $        157 
                                       ============    ============ 
    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 
      Separate account liabilities     $         31    $         22 
      Short-term debt                            19              21 
      Long-term debt                             21              16 
      Other liabilities                          89              84 
                                       ------------    ------------ 
        Total liabilities                       160             143 
                                       ------------    ------------ 
      Shareholders' Equity                       15              14 
                                       ------------    ------------ 
        Total liabilities and 
            shareholders' equity       $        175    $        157 
                                       ============    ============ 
     
    Note: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform 
          to current year presentation. 
 
 
     (Preliminary) 
                                        
                           AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY 
                              FINANCIAL SUMMARY 
                                 (Unaudited) 
 
     (Millions) 
                                             Quarters Ended                    
                                              December 31,                    
                                            ------------------    Percentage   
                                             2003        2002      Inc/(Dec)    
                                            ------      ------     ----------   
    REVENUES (A) 
      Travel Related Services              $ 5,211     $ 4,665          12 % 
      American Express Financial Advisors    1,740       1,444          20   
      American Express Bank                    205         188           9   
                                            ------      ------                 
                                             7,156       6,297          14   
      Corporate and other, 
        including adjustments 
        and eliminations                       (88)       (101)         13   
                                            ------      ------                 
     
    CONSOLIDATED REVENUES                  $ 7,068     $ 6,196          14 % 
                                            ======      ======                 
     
    PRETAX INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE  
      ACCOUNTING CHANGE 
      Travel Related Services              $   884     $   794          11 % 
      American Express Financial Advisors      248         206          20   
      American Express Bank                     42          36          16   
                                            ------      ------        
                                             1,174       1,036          13     
      Corporate and other                      (84)        (87)          3    
                                            ------      ------      
     
    PRETAX INCOME BEFORE ACCOUNTING CHANGE $ 1,090     $   949          15 % 
                                            ======      ======      
     
    NET INCOME (LOSS) 
      Travel Related Services              $   606     $   550          10 %   
      American Express Financial Advisors      182(B)      153          19    
      American Express Bank                     29          24          22    
                                            ------      ------          
                                               817         727          12    
      Corporate and other                      (54)        (44)        (23)   
                                            ------      ------        
     
    NET INCOME                             $   763(B)  $   683          12 %  
                                            ======      ======        
     
     (A) Managed net revenues are reported net of American Express Financial 
         Advisors' provision for losses and benefits and exclude the effect of   
         TRS' securitization activities. The following table reconciles   
         consolidated GAAP revenues to Managed Basis net revenues: 
 
     GAAP revenues                         $ 7,068     $ 6,196          14 %  
       Effect of TRS securitizations           208         224                 
       Effect of AEFA provisions              (555)       (539)                
                                            ------      ------                 
     Managed net revenues                  $ 6,721     $ 5,881          14 %  
                                            ======      ======   
  
     (B) Reflects a $20 million non-cash pre-tax charge ($13 million after- 
         tax) related to the December 31, 2003 adoption of FIN 46, as revised. 
 
 
     (Preliminary) 
 
                               AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY 
                                   FINANCIAL SUMMARY 
                                      (Unaudited) 
     
    (Millions) 
                                               Years Ended 
                                               December 31, 
                                            ------------------    Percentage 
                                             2003       2002       Inc/(Dec) 
                                            ------     ------     ---------- 
    REVENUES (A) 
      Travel Related Services              $19,189    $17,721           8 % 
      American Express Financial Advisors    6,172      5,617          10 
      American Express Bank                    801        745           7 
                                            ------     ------ 
                                            26,162     24,083           9 
      Corporate and other, 
        including adjustments 
        and eliminations                      (296)      (276)         (7) 
                                            ------     ------ 
     
    CONSOLIDATED REVENUES                  $25,866    $23,807           9 % 
                                            ======     ====== 
     
    PRETAX INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE  
      ACCOUNTING CHANGE 
      Travel Related Services              $ 3,571    $ 3,080          16 % 
      American Express Financial Advisors      859        865          (1) 
      American Express Bank                    151        121          24 
                                            ------     ------ 
                                             4,581      4,066          13 
      Corporate and other                     (334)      (339)          2 
                                            ------     ------ 
     
    PRETAX INCOME BEFORE ACCOUNTING CHANGE $ 4,247    $ 3,727          14 % 
                                            ======     ====== 
     
    NET INCOME (LOSS) 
      Travel Related Services              $ 2,430    $ 2,135          14 % 
      American Express Financial Advisors      669(B)     632           6 
      American Express Bank                    102         80          27 
                                            ------     ------ 
                                             3,201      2,847          12 
      Corporate and other                     (214)      (176)        (21) 
                                            ------     ------ 
     
    NET INCOME                             $ 2,987(B) $ 2,671          12 % 
                                            ======     ====== 
     
    (A)  Managed net revenues are reported net of American Express Financial 
         Advisors' provision for losses and benefits and exclude the 
         effect of TRS' securitization activities. The following table 
         reconciles consolidated GAAP revenues to Managed Basis net revenues: 
     
         GAAP revenues                     $25,866    $23,807           9 % 
           Effect of TRS securitizations       943        948 
           Effect of AEFA provisions        (2,122)    (1,954) 
                                            ------     ------ 
         Managed net revenues              $24,687    $22,801           8 % 
                                            ======     ====== 
      
    (B)  Reflects a $20 million non-cash pre-tax charge ($13 million after-   
         tax) related to the December 31, 2003 adoption of FIN 46, as revised. 
     
     
    (Preliminary) 
     
     
                           AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY 
                        FINANCIAL SUMMARY (CONTINUED) 
                                 (UNAUDITED) 
     
                                             Quarters Ended        
                                              December 31,       
                                            ----------------    Percentage 
                                             2003      2002     Inc/(Dec) 
                                            ------    ------    ----------  
    EARNINGS PER SHARE 
     
    BASIC 
      Income before accounting change       $ 0.61    $ 0.52        17 %  
                                                                
      Net income                            $ 0.60(A) $ 0.52        15 %   
                                            ======    ======     
     
    Average common shares outstanding  
      (millions)                             1,277     1,309        (2)%  
                                            ======    ======    
    DILUTED 
     
      Income before accounting change       $ 0.60    $ 0.52        15 %  
                                                                
      Net income                            $ 0.59(A) $ 0.52        13 %   
                                            ======    ======          
     
    Average common shares outstanding  
      (millions)                             1,299     1,317        (1)%  
                                            ======    ======          
     
    Cash dividends declared 
      per common share                      $ 0.10    $ 0.08        25 %   
                                            ======    ======  
                       
     
                        SELECTED STATISTICAL INFORMATION 
                                       (Unaudited) 
     
                                             Quarters Ended  
                                              December 31,         
                                            ----------------    Percentage 
                                             2003      2002       Inc/(Dec) 
                                            ------    ------    ----------  
    Return on average total shareholders' 
      equity (B)                             20.6 %     20.2 %         -    
    Common shares outstanding (millions)    1,284      1,305          (2)%  
    Book value per common share           $ 11.93    $ 10.63          12 %  
    Shareholders' equity (billions)       $  15.3    $  13.9          11 %   
     
    (A)  Reflects a $20 million non-cash pre-tax charge ($13 million 
         after-tax), or $0.01 per share on both a basic and diluted basis, 
         related to the December 31, 2003 adoption of FIN 46, as revised. 
     
    (B)  Computed on a trailing 12-month basis using total shareholders' 
         equity as included in the Consolidated Financial Statements 
         prepared in accordance with GAAP. 
     
     
    (Preliminary) 
     
                           AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY 
                        FINANCIAL SUMMARY (CONTINUED) 
                                (UNAUDITED) 
     
                                               Years Ended 
                                               December 31, 
                                            -----------------  Percentage 
                                             2003      2002      Inc/(Dec) 
                                            ------    ------    ---------- 
    EARNINGS PER SHARE 
     
    BASIC 
      Income before accounting change       $ 2.34    $ 2.02        16 %  
                                                                
      Net income                            $ 2.33(A) $ 2.02        15 %   
                                            ======    ======      
     
    Average common shares outstanding  
      (millions)                             1,284     1,320        (3)%  
                                            ======    ======         
    DILUTED 
     
      Income before accounting change       $ 2.31    $ 2.01        15 %  
                                                                
      Net income                            $ 2.30(A) $ 2.01        14 %   
                                            ======    ======        
     
    Average common shares outstanding  
      (millions)                             1,298     1,330        (2)%     
                                            ======    ======         
     
    Cash dividends declared 
      per common share                      $ 0.38    $ 0.32        19 % 
                                            ======    ====== 
     
                        SELECTED STATISTICAL INFORMATION 
                                  (Unaudited) 
     
                                               Years Ended 
                                               December 31, 
                                            -----------------  Percentage 
                                             2003      2002      Inc/(Dec) 
                                            ------    ------   ----------- 
    Return on average total shareholders' 
      equity (B)                            20.6 %      20.2 %         - 
    Common shares outstanding (millions)   1,284       1,305          (2)% 
    Book value per common share          $ 11.93     $ 10.63          12 % 
    Shareholders' equity (billions)      $  15.3     $  13.9          11 % 
     
    (A)  Reflects a $20 million non-cash pre-tax charge ($13 million 
         after-tax), or $0.01 per share on both a basic and diluted basis, 
         related to the December 31, 2003 adoption of FIN 46, as revised. 
     
    (B)  Computed on a trailing 12-month basis using total shareholders' 
         equity as included in the Consolidated Financial Statements 
         prepared in accordance with GAAP.  
     
    To view additional business segment financials go to: 
    http://ir.americanexpress.com 
     
SOURCE  American Express Company 
    -0-                             01/26/2004 
    /CONTACT:  Molly Faust, +1-212-640-0624, molly.faust@aexp.com, or Michael 
J. O'Neill, +1-212-640-5951, mike.o'neill@aexp.com, both of American Express 
Company/ 
    /FCMN Contact: alexandra.a.martinez@aexp.com / 
    /Web site:  http://www.americanexpress.com / 
    (AXP) 
 
-end-
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