American Express Company AXP reported first-quarter 2016 operating earnings per share (EPS) of $1.45, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.36 by 6.62%. However, EPS declined 2% year over year, primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar and an increase in expenses.
Revenues of $8.1 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.0 billion by 1% and also grew 1.7% year over year.
Consolidated provisions for losses totaled $434 million, up 3.3% year over year.
American Express' total billed business, or global card spending, was $253.8 billion, 3.3% higher year over year. Cards that were used worldwide grew 5.7% to $118.6 billion, which in turn, resulted in the overall improvement.
Total expenses of $5.5 billion increased 4.9% year over year. This was mainly because the company spent more on growth initiatives.
The effective tax rate was 35% as against 34% in the year-ago quarter.
Segment Results
American Express' U.S. Card Services segment reported net income of $694 million, up 5.3% year over year. Total revenue, net of interest expenses, increased 3% to $3.3 billion on higher net interest income owing to the growth in loan portfolio. Provisions for losses totaled $190 million, down 1.6% year over year, due to the accounting for certain cobrand loans, which were “held for sale”. Total expenses increased 2% year over year to $2 billion.
International Card Services’ net income amounted to $188 million, which declined 4.6% from $197 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease is attributable to the unfavorable impact of the stronger U.S. dollar. Total revenue, net of interest expenses, dipped 1% year over year to $1.3 billion.
Global Commercial Services’ net income decreased 6.2% year over year to $485 million. Total revenue, net of interest expenses, grew 2% year over year to $2.4 billion. Higher net interest income and Card Member spending led to the increase.
Global Network & Merchant Services reported net income of $357 million, down 3.3% year over year. The decline was due to the negative impact of the stronger U.S. dollar. However, total revenue, net of interest expenses, fell 3% year over year to $1.1 billion.
Financial Update
As of Mar 31, 2016, American Express' total assets increased 2.6% year over year to $159 billion, while long-term debt decreased 14.5% year over year to $47 billion. The company held cash and cash equivalents of $25 billion, up 4.2% year over year. Meanwhile, shareholder equity declined 4.5% year over year to $21 billion as of Mar 31, 2016.
As of Mar 31, 2016, American Express' return on average common equity (ROCE) was 24.8%, down from 29.3% as of Mar 31, 2015. Further, book value marginally increased to 1% to $20.13 per share from $19.93 in the year-ago quarter.
Guidance Reiterated