Stephen Squeri on return on equity
From American Express Co ($AXP) Q3 2025 Earnings Call · · Castify Earnings Call
“Our business continues to generate very strong returns with an ROE of 36% this quarter. Our strong ROE enables us to return high level of earnings to our shareholders around 70% over the past three years. Over the same time period, our dividend is up 58%.”
On , Stephen Squeri, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at American Express company, spoke about return on equity during American Express Co ($AXP) Q3 2025 Earnings Call on Castify Earnings Call.
About Stephen Squeri
Stephen Squeri, Chairman and CEO of American Express, discussed the company’s performance and strategy during earnings calls in 2025 and early 2026. In the Q3 2025 call, he described the launch of refreshed U.S. consumer and business Platinum cards as “the big news in the quarter,” stating that initial customer demand and engagement exceeded expectations. He attributed overall billed business growth to macro trends in travel and entertainment rather than the refresh, though he noted specific partner impacts. Squeri also characterized the company’s card base as “much more premium” and not representative of the broader U.S. economy, describing a “bifurcated economy.” In Q1 2025, he stated he would not pass up investment opportunities to hit a short-term earnings number, saying, “It’s not how I’ve run the company over the last 7 years.” In the Q4 2025 call, Squeri said the competitive environment in consumer credit is “as tough as it’s ever been” but that American Express aims to stay ahead of rivals. He commented on a proposed 10% credit card interest rate cap, saying it “would reduce the number of cards ultimately in the marketplace, reduce line sizes, and impact small businesses, creating a downward spiral.” He also provided 2026 guidance for 9–10% revenue growth and EPS of $17.30–$17.90, alongside a planned 16% dividend increase to 95 cents per share.