Another example of a global market leader in the Portfolio is American Express (AXP), which combines a strong, upscale charge card brand with ownership of the underlying payment network to create a unique business model. The company attracts some of the most desirable cardholders whose affluence leads to average spending about three times as great as ordinary bank cards. American Express reinforces this higher charge card spending with a market-leading cardholder rewards program, creating a virtuous circle of higher spending and higher rewards. The company earns much of its revenue from the transaction or interchange fees it charges merchants that accept its card. Because its payment network is wholly owned, American Express avoids sharing this important revenue source, generating significantly better economics than the payment networks of its competitors whose interchange fees are shared with banks. We believe American Express is well positioned to benefit over the long term as card-based transactions continue to increase at the expense of cash-based transactions.
Chris Davis Comments on American Express