American Express stock falls after Wells Fargo reiterates Buy rating and strong revenue growth

Published on 09/17/2026 at 14:12 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

American Express stock closed at USD 312.43 on September 16, 2026, after a 3.7 percent drop on the NYSE. Wells Fargo reaffirmed its Buy rating with a USD 415 price target, citing double-digit revenue and earnings growth in the latest quarter.

Reisender bezahlt mit neutraler grauer Kreditkarte an Terminal in einer Flughafen-Lounge — Reisender zahlt mit grauer Kreditkarte am Terminal, American Express Co. (US0258161092), Kreditkartenwesen-Symbolbild, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

American Express Company stock (ISIN US0258161092) closed at USD 312.43 on the New York Stock Exchange on September 16, 2026, marking a 3.7 percent decline from the prior session as rate-sensitive financial names sold off alongside tighter Federal Reserve messaging, according to market data referenced by The Motley Fool on September 17, 2026.

Latest quarter shows double-digit growth

Based on American Express's latest earnings release for the quarter ending June 30, 2026, the company reported quarterly revenue of USD 21.6 billion and a net profit of USD 3.11 billion, according to The Globe and Mail on September 17, 2026.

In comparison, for the quarter ending June 30, 2025, American Express earned revenue of USD 19.93 billion and reported net profit of USD 2.89 billion, meaning revenue rose by about 8.4 percent year over year while net profit increased by around 7.6 percent over the same period, as detailed by The Globe and Mail.

Analysts highlight upside despite recent drop

Wells Fargo analyst Donald Fandetti reiterated a Buy rating on American Express and set a price target of USD 415.00, with the shares having closed at USD 324.43 on the previous day, according to The Globe and Mail on September 17, 2026.

That price target implies upside of around 27 percent from the September 16, 2026 close of USD 324.43 cited in the analyst note, while the broader analyst community shows a Moderate Buy consensus with an average price target of USD 380.11, according to the same Globe and Mail report.

For investors, the key point is that despite a recent pullback, analysts still see room for growth, supported by American Express's ability to deliver double-digit revenue and earnings expansion while maintaining a premium cardholder base and disciplined risk management, as highlighted in commentary by The Motley Fool on September 17, 2026.

Stock valuation and recent trading levels

According to data cited by The Motley Fool on September 17, 2026, American Express shares trade at about 19.7 times trailing twelve-month earnings at the recent level of USD 312.43, offering what the outlet describes as a compelling valuation for a premium credit services franchise.

GuruFocus's GF Value metric shows American Express trading at USD 316.47, approximately 7.7 percent below an intrinsic value estimate of USD 343.05, with a GF Score of 84 out of 100 highlighting strong overall business quality and growth prospects, according to GuruFocus on September 16, 2026.

In addition, MarketBeat data as of mid-September 2026 indicate that American Express has a consensus price target of USD 373.32, implying roughly 17.6 percent upside from a trading level around USD 317.58, and that the stock is down about 14.2 percent year to date from USD 370.04 at the beginning of 2026.

Closing price and trading venue

American Express stock ended the New York Stock Exchange session on September 16, 2026 at a reference price of USD 312.43, down 3.7 percent compared with the previous close, with trading volume and market capitalization consistent with its status as a major component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and a leading global card issuer.