AMX: American Exp.Co: American Express Reports Fourth-Quarter EPS of $0.56, Down from $1.01 a Year Ago; Cardmember Spending,
AMX: American Exp.Co: American Express Reports Fourth-Quarter EPS of $0.56,
Down from $1.01 a Year Ago; Cardmember Spending, Revenues and Credit Remain
Strong; Results Consistent with Pre-Announcement
UK Regulatory Announcement
NEW YORK
American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) today reported fourth-quarter net income
of $637 million, down 47 percent from $1.2 billion a year ago. Net income from
the quarter included the restructuring charge, rewards expense and cardmember
reimbursements that were announced last week. Diluted earnings per share was
$0.56, down 45 percent from $1.01 a year ago.
(Millions, except percentages and per share amounts)
Quarters Ended Percentage Years Ended Percentage
Inc/(Dec) Inc/(Dec)
December 31, December 31,
2012 2011 2012 2011
Total Revenues
Net of $ 8,141 $ 7,742 5 % $ 31,582 $ 29,962 5 %
Interest
Expense
Income From
Continuing $ 637 $ 1,192 (47 )% $ 4,482 $ 4,899 (9 )%
Operations
Income From
Discontinued $ - $ - - $ - $ 36 #
Operations,
net of tax^1
Net Income $ 637 $ 1,192 (47 )% $ 4,482 $ 4,935 (9 )%
Earnings Per
Common Share –
Diluted:
Income From
Continuing
Operations $ 0.56 $ 1.01 (45 )% $ 3.89 $ 4.09 (5 )%
Attributable
to Common
Shareholders^2
Income from
Discontinued $ - $ - - $ - $ 0.03 #
Operations^1
Net Income
Attributable $ 0.56 $ 1.01 (45 )% $ 3.89 $ 4.12 (6 )%
to Common
Shareholders^2
Average
Diluted Common 1,116 1,163 (4 )% 1,141 1,184 (4 )%
Shares
Outstanding
Return on 23.1 % 27.7 % 23.1 % 27.7 %
Average Equity
# Denotes a variance of more than 100 %
Excluding these items, fourth-quarter adjusted net income was $1.2 billion, or
$1.09 per share.^3
Consolidated total revenues net of interest expense were $8.1 billion, up 5
percent from $7.7 billion a year ago. The increase was driven by an 8 percent
rise in cardmember spending and higher net interest income that reflected
growth in the cardmember loan portfolio.
Adjusted for foreign currency translations, consolidated total revenues net of
interest expense rose 5 percent from a year ago.^4
Consolidated provisions for losses totaled $638 million, up 56 percent from
$409 million a year ago. The provision increase reflected higher reserve
releases a year ago, partially offset by lower net write-offs in the current
quarter. Credit indicators continued to be at historically low levels.
Consolidated expenses totaled $6.6 billion, up 18 percent from $5.6 billion a
year ago. The increase primarily reflected the previously announced
restructuring charge and Membership Rewards estimation process enhancements.
Adjusted for foreign currency translations, consolidated total expenses were
up 17 percent from a year ago.^4
Net income for the quarter reflected costs associated with the three
previously announced items:
* A $400 million restructuring charge ($287 million after-tax) designed to
contain future operating expenses, adapt parts of the business as more
customers transact online or through mobile channels, and provide the
resources for additional growth initiatives in the U.S. and
internationally.
* A $342 million expense ($212 million after-tax) reflecting enhancements to
the process that estimates future redemptions of Membership Rewards points
by U.S. cardmembers.
* Approximately $153 million ($95 million after-tax) of cardmember
reimbursements for various types of transactions dating back several
years. This amount dealt with fees, interest and bonus rewards as well as
an incremental expense related to the consent orders entered into with
regulators last October.
The effective tax rate was 31 percent, down from 32 percent a year ago.
The company's return on average equity (ROE) was 23.1 percent, down from 27.7
percent a year ago.
“With higher fourth quarter revenues and cardmember spending, we ended 2012 in
strong shape,” said Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer.
“Against the backdrop of an uneven economy, we capitalized on opportunities
and continued to stay ahead of the trends that are reshaping our industry.
“Since rebounding from the recession, we have gained share in a very
competitive U.S. industry and enhanced the many benefits we provide
cardmembers. We have improved our risk management capabilities, begun to tap
additional revenue streams and deployed new technologies that let us serve a
growing number of customers online and through their mobile phones. At the
same time, we’ve expanded into new markets internationally and extended our
presence well beyond the traditional American Express footprint. The
investments we’ve made in the business are substantial, but we have also been
able to contain the growth in overall operating expenses.
“We’ve made great progress in recent years, and we want to make sure we stay
ahead of trends that present both enormous promise and complex challenges. New
technologies are changing the way businesses operate, both online and in the
physical world. While this evolution is still in the early stages for our
industry, it continues to open up opportunities that play to our strengths.
The restructuring program we announced last week is designed to help take
advantage of them, while also playing an important role in our aim of holding
annual operating expense increases to less than 3 percent for the next two
years.^5 A lean operating structure is a critical advantage for any business.
That, along with the flexibility to allocate resources toward growth
initiatives, should put us in an even better position as we seek to deliver
strong results for shareholders.”
Segment Results
U.S. Card Services reported fourth-quarter net income of $423 million, down 42
percent from $727 million a year ago.
Total revenues net of interest expense increased 4 percent to $4.1 billion
from $3.9 billion a year ago. The increase was driven by higher cardmember
spending and higher net interest income, partially offset by the impact of
cardmember reimbursements mentioned above.
Provisions for losses totaled $477 million, up 77 percent from $269 million a
year ago, primarily reflecting higher reserve releases a year ago, partially
offset by lower net write-offs in the current quarter. Credit indicators
continued to be at historically low levels.
Total expenses increased 21 percent to $3.0 billion from $2.5 billion a year
ago, primarily reflecting the Membership Rewards estimation process
enhancements and cardmember reimbursements mentioned earlier.
The effective tax rate was 31 percent compared to 38 percent a year ago.
International Card Services reported fourth-quarter net income of $95 million,
down 38 percent from $152 million a year ago.
Total revenues net of interest expense increased 5 percent to $1.4 billion
from $1.3 billion a year ago, reflecting higher cardmember spending and fee
revenues related to Loyalty Partner.
Provisions for losses totaled $99 million, up 18 percent from $84 million a
year ago, primarily reflecting higher reserve releases in the prior year.
Total expenses increased 7 percent to $1.2 billion from $1.1 billion a year
ago, primarily reflecting the restructuring charge mentioned earlier.
Marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services costs increased 6
percent.
The effective tax rate was 14 percent compared to (11) percent a year ago. The
year ago tax rate reflected the benefit from the resolution of certain prior
years’ tax items.
Global Commercial Services reported fourth-quarter net income of $65 million,
down 64 percent from $180 million a year ago.
Total revenues net of interest expense increased 3 percent to $1.2 billion
from a year ago, reflecting increased spending by corporate cardmembers,
partially offset by lower travel commissions and fees.
Provisions for losses totaled $33 million, down 6 percent from $35 million a
year ago.
Total expenses increased 19 percent to $1.0 billion from $872 million a year
ago, primarily reflecting the restructuring charge and Membership Rewards
estimation process enhancements mentioned earlier.
The effective tax rate was 54 percent compared to 35 percent a year ago. This
quarter’s tax rate reflected lower tax benefits from the restructuring charges
in international markets.
Global Network & Merchant Services reported fourth-quarter net income of $354
million, up 9 percent from $324 million a year ago.
Total revenues net of interest expense increased 6 percent to $1.4 billion
from $1.3 billion a year ago, reflecting higher merchant-related revenues
driven by an increase in global cardmember spending.
Total expenses increased 2 percent to $812 million from $794 million a year
ago, primarily reflecting the restructuring charge mentioned earlier.
The effective tax rate for the quarter was 36 percent, unchanged from a year
ago.
Corporate and Other reported fourth quarter net loss of $300 million compared
with a net loss of $191 million a year ago. The result for the current period
reflected the restructuring charge mentioned earlier and the prior year
included income of $70 million ($43 million after-tax) for the previously
announced settlement of Visa litigation.
About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access
to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business
success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on
facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress,
linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and
youtube.com/americanexpress.
Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit
cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, business
travel, and corporate card
The 2012 Fourth Quarter/ Full Year Earnings Supplement will be available today
on the American Express website at http://ir.americanexpress.com. An investor
conference call will be held at 5:00 p.m. (ET) today to discuss fourth-quarter
earnings results. Live audio and presentation slides for the investor
conference call will be available to the general public at the same website. A
replay of the conference call will be available later today at the same
website address.
This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based
on the company’s expected business and financial performance and are subject
to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in
the forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including those
contained in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2011, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2012 and the company’s other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.
^1 Income from discontinued operations primarily reflects benefits from the
resolution of certain prior years’ tax items related to American Express Bank
Ltd., which was sold to Standard Chartered PLC during Q1’08.
^2 Represents income from continuing operations or net income, as applicable,
less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $7 million and $14
million for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively,
and $49 million and $58 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012
and 2011, respectively.
^3 Management believes adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share,
which are non-GAAP measures, provide useful metrics to evaluate the ongoing
operating performance of the company. See Appendix V in the selected
statistical tables for a reconciliation of adjusted net income and adjusted
earnings per share.
^4 As reported in this release, F/X adjusted information, which constitute
non-GAAP financial measures, assumes a constant exchange rate between the
periods being compared for purposes of currency translation to U.S. dollars
(i.e., assumes the foreign exchange rates used to determine results for the
three months ended December 31, 2012 apply to the period(s) against which such
results are being compared). The company believes the presentation of
information on an F/X adjusted basis is helpful to investors by making it
easier to compare the company’s performance in one period to that of another
period without the variability caused by fluctuations in currency exchange
rates.
^5 Operating expenses represent salaries and employee benefits, professional
services, occupancy and equipment, communications and other expenses.
All information in the following tables is presented on a basis prepared in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), unless
otherwise indicated. The Company revised the income statement reporting of
card fees on lending products in the first quarter of 2012, increasing Net
card fees and reducing Interest on loans. Corresponding amounts in prior
periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
This change does not impact Total revenues net of interest expense in the
income statement, or the Net interest yield on cardmember loans, a non-GAAP
measure.
(Preliminary)
American Express Company
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Millions)
Quarters Ended Years Ended
December 31, Percentage December 31, Percentage
2012 2011 Inc/(Dec) 2012 2011 Inc/(Dec)
Revenues
Non-interest
revenues
Discount $ 4,575 $ 4,336 6 % $ 17,739 $ 16,734 6 %
revenue
Net card fees 648 612 6 2,506 2,448 2
Travel
commissions 503 514 (2 ) 1,940 1,971 (2 )
and fees
Other
commissions 578 552 5 2,317 2,269 2
and fees
Other 644 618 4 2,452 2,164 13
Total
non-interest 6,948 6,632 5 26,954 25,586 5
revenues
Interest
income
Interest on 1,660 1,587 5 6,511 6,272 4
loans
Interest and
dividends on 53 72 (26 ) 246 327 (25 )
investment
securities
Deposits with
banks and 24 26 (8 ) 97 97 -
other
Total interest 1,737 1,685 3 6,854 6,696 2
income
Interest
expense
Deposits 118 133 (11 ) 480 528 (9 )
Long-term debt 426 442 (4 ) 1,746 1,792 (3 )
and other
Total interest 544 575 (5 ) 2,226 2,320 (4 )
expense
Net interest 1,193 1,110 7 4,628 4,376 6
income
Total revenues
net of 8,141 7,742 5 31,582 29,962 5
interest
expense
Provisions for
losses
Charge card 211 237 (11 ) 742 770 (4 )
Cardmember 396 149 # 1,149 253 #
loans
Other 31 23 35 99 89 11
Total
provisions for 638 409 56 1,990 1,112 79
losses
Total revenues
net of
interest 7,503 7,333 2 29,592 28,850 3
expense after
provisions for
losses
Expenses
Marketing and 722 735 (2 ) 2,890 2,996 (4 )
promotion
Cardmember 1,857 1,463 27 6,282 6,218 1
rewards
Cardmember 197 190 4 799 716 12
services
Salaries and
employee 1,910 1,537 24 6,597 6,252 6
benefits
Professional 871 853 2 2,963 2,951 -
services
Occupancy and 486 467 4 1,823 1,685 8
equipment
Communications 99 98 1 383 378 1
Other, net 432 242 79 1,404 698 #
Total 6,574 5,585 18 23,141 21,894 6
Pretax income
from 929 1,748 (47 ) 6,451 6,956 (7 )
continuing
operations
Income tax 292 556 (47 ) 1,969 2,057 (4 )
provision
Income from
continuing 637 1,192 (47 ) 4,482 4,899 (9 )
operations
Income from
discontinued - - - - 36 #
operations,
net of tax
Net income $ 637 $ 1,192 (47 ) $ 4,482 $ 4,935 (9 )
Income from
continuing
operations
attributable $ 630 $ 1,178 (47 ) $ 4,433 $ 4,841 (8 )
to common
shareholders
(A)
Net income
attributable
to common $ 630 $ 1,178 (47 ) $ 4,433 $ 4,877 (9 )
shareholders
(A)
Effective tax 31.4 % 31.8 % 30.5 % 29.6 %
rate
# - Denotes a
variance of
more than
100%.
(A) Represents income from continuing operations or net income, as applicable,
less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $7 million and $14
million for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively,
and $49 million and $58 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012
and 2011, respectively.
(Preliminary)
American Express Company
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Billions)
December 31, December 31,
2012 2011
Assets
Cash & cash equivalents $ 22 $ 25
Accounts receivable 46 44
Investment securities 6 7
Loans 64 61
Other assets 15 16
Total assets $ 153 $ 153
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Customer deposits $ 40 $ 38
Short-term borrowings 3 4
Long-term debt 59 60
Other liabilities 32 32
Total liabilities 134 134
Shareholders' Equity 19 19
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 153 $ 153
(Preliminary)
American Express Company
Financial Summary
(Millions)
Quarters Ended Years Ended
December 31, Percentage December 31, Percentage
2012 2011 Inc/(Dec) 2012 2011 Inc/(Dec)
Total
revenues net
of interest
expense
U.S. Card $ 4,070 $ 3,897 4 % $ 16,046 $ 15,071 6 %
Services
International 1,397 1,333 5 5,306 5,239 1
Card Services
Global
Commercial 1,215 1,183 3 4,749 4,625 3
Services
Global
Network & 1,390 1,316 6 5,271 4,942 7
Merchant
Services
8,072 7,729 4 31,372 29,877 5
Corporate & 69 13 # 210 85 #
Other
CONSOLIDATED
TOTAL
REVENUES NET $ 8,141 $ 7,742 5 $ 31,582 $ 29,962 5
OF INTEREST
EXPENSE
Pretax income
(loss) from
continuing
operations
U.S. Card $ 612 $ 1,168 (48 ) $ 4,069 $ 4,129 (1 )
Services
International 110 137 (20 ) 659 762 (14 )
Card Services
Global
Commercial 142 276 (49 ) 960 1,075 (11 )
Services
Global
Network & 557 502 11 2,219 1,979 12
Merchant
Services
1,421 2,083 (32 ) 7,907 7,945 -
Corporate & (492 ) (335 ) 47 (1,456 ) (989 ) 47
Other
PRETAX INCOME
FROM $ 929 $ 1,748 (47 ) $ 6,451 $ 6,956 (7 )
CONTINUING
OPERATIONS
Net income
(loss)
U.S. Card $ 423 $ 727 (42 ) $ 2,592 $ 2,680 (3 )
Services
International 95 152 (38 ) 634 723 (12 )
Card Services
Global
Commercial 65 180 (64 ) 644 738 (13 )
Services
Global
Network & 354 324 9 1,443 1,293 12
Merchant
Services
937 1,383 (32 ) 5,313 5,434 (2 )
Corporate & (300 ) (191 ) 57 (831 ) (535 ) 55
Other
Income from
continuing 637 1,192 (47 ) 4,482 4,899 (9 )
operations
Income from
discontinued - - - - 36 #
operations,
net of tax
NET INCOME $ 637 $ 1,192 (47 ) $ 4,482 $ 4,935 (9 )
# - Denotes a variance of more than 100%.
(Preliminary)
American Express Company
Financial Summary (continued)
Quarters Ended Years Ended
December 31, Percentage December 31, Percentage
2012 2011 Inc/(Dec) 2012 2011 Inc/(Dec)
EARNINGS PER
COMMON SHARE
BASIC
Income from
continuing
operations $ 0.57 $ 1.02 (44 ) % $ 3.91 $ 4.11 (5 ) %
attributable
to common
shareholders
Income from
discontinued - - - - 0.03 #
operations
Net income
attributable $ 0.57 $ 1.02 (44 ) % $ 3.91 $ 4.14 (6 ) %
to common
shareholders
Average
common shares 1,110 1,157 (4 ) % 1,135 1,178 (4 ) %
outstanding
(millions)
DILUTED
Income from
continuing
operations $ 0.56 $ 1.01 (45 ) % $ 3.89 $ 4.09 (5 ) %
attributable
to common
shareholders
Income from
discontinued - - - - 0.03 #
operations
Net income
attributable $ 0.56 $ 1.01 (45 ) % $ 3.89 $ 4.12 (6 ) %
to common
shareholders
Average
common shares 1,116 1,163 (4 ) % 1,141 1,184 (4 ) %
outstanding
(millions)
Cash
dividends $ 0.20 $ 0.18 11 % $ 0.80 $ 0.72 11 %
declared per
common share
Selected Statistical Information
Quarters Ended Years Ended
December 31, Percentage December 31, Percentage
2012 2011 Inc/(Dec) 2012 2011 Inc/(Dec)
Return on
average 23.1 % 27.7 % 23.1 % 27.7 %
equity (A)
Return on
average 22.8 % 27.3 % 22.8 % 27.3 %
common equity
(A)
Return on
average
tangible 29.2 % 35.8 % 29.2 % 35.8 %
common equity
(A)
Common shares
outstanding 1,105 1,164 (5 ) % 1,105 1,164 (5 ) %
(millions)
Book value
per common $ 17.09 $ 16.15 6 % $ 17.09 $ 16.15 6 %
share
Shareholders'
equity $ 18.9 $ 18.8 1 % $ 18.9 $ 18.8 1 %
(billions)
# - Denotes a
variance of
more than
100%.
(A) Refer to Appendix I for components of return on average equity, return on
average common equity and return on average tangible common equity, a non-GAAP
measure.
(Preliminary)
American Express Company
Components of Return on Average Equity (ROE), Return on Average Common Equity (ROCE),
and Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROTCE)
Appendix I
(Millions)
For the Twelve Months Ended
December September June 30, March 31, December
31, 30, 31,
2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
ROE
Net income $ 4,482 $ 5,037 $ 5,022 $ 5,014 $ 4,935
Average
shareholders' $ 19,425 $ 19,145 $ 18,887 $ 18,525 $ 17,842
equity
Return on
average equity 23.1 % 26.3 % 26.6 % 27.1 % 27.7 %
(A)
Reconciliation
of ROCE and
ROTCE
Net income $ 4,482 $ 5,037 $ 5,022 $ 5,014 $ 4,935
Earnings
allocated to
participating 49 56 57 58 58
share awards
and other
Net income
attributable $ 4,433 $ 4,981 $ 4,965 $ 4,956 $ 4,877
to common
shareholders
Average
shareholders' $ 19,425 $ 19,145 $ 18,887 $ 18,525 $ 17,842
equity
Average common
shareholders' $ 19,425 $ 19,145 $ 18,887 $ 18,525 $ 17,842
equity
Average
goodwill and 4,232 4,272 4,330 4,380 4,215
other
intangibles
Average
tangible
common $ 15,193 $ 14,873 $ 14,557 $ 14,145 $ 13,627
shareholders'
equity
Return on
average common 22.8 % 26.0 % 26.3 % 26.8 % 27.3 %
equity (A)
Return on
average
tangible 29.2 % 33.5 % 34.1 % 35.0 % 35.8 %
common equity
(B)
(A) Return on average equity and return on average common equity are
calculated by dividing one year period net income/net income attributable to
common shareholders by one year average total shareholders’ equity/average
common shareholders' equity, respectively.
(B) Return on average tangible common equity, a non-GAAP measure, is computed
in the same manner as return on average common equity except the computation
of average tangible common shareholders' equity, a non-GAAP measure, excludes
from average total shareholders' equity, average goodwill and other
intangibles. The Company believes that return on average tangible common
equity is a useful measure of the profitability of its business.
(Preliminary)
American Express Company
Net Income and EPS Reconciliation
Appendix V
(Millions, except per share Quarter Ended Year Ended
amounts)
December 31, 2012 December 31, 2012
Net income:
Reported Net income $ 637 $ 4,482
Q4'12 Restructuring Charges $ 287 $ 287
Q4'12 Membership Rewards
Estimation Process Enhancement $ 212 $ 212
Expense
Q4'12 Cardmember Reimbursements $ 95 $ 95
Adjusted Net income (A) $ 1,231 $ 5,076
Diluted EPS:
Reported Net income attributable $ 0.56 $ 3.89
to common shareholders
Q4'12 Restructuring Charges $ 0.26 $ 0.25
Q4'12 Membership Rewards
Estimation Process Enhancement $ 0.19 $ 0.19
Expense
Q4'12 Cardmember Reimbursements $ 0.08 $ 0.07
Adjusted Net income attributable $ 1.09 $ 4.40
to common shareholders (A)
(A) Adjusted net income and adjusted net income attributable to common
shareholders, which are non-GAAP measures, represent net income excluding the
impact of the restructuring charges, membership rewards estimation process
enhancement expense and cardmember reimbursements recognized in Q4’12. The
Company believes adjusted net income and adjusted net income attributable to
common shareholders provide useful metrics to evaluate the ongoing operating
performance of the Company.
American Express
Media:
Marina H. Norville, +1-212-640-2832
marina.h.norville@aexp.com
Mike O’Neill, +1-212-640-5951
mike.o’neill@aexp.com
or
Investors/Analysts:
Ken Paukowits, +1-212-640-6348
ken.f.paukowits@aexp.com
Rick Petrino, +1-212-640-5574
richard.petrino@aexp.com
Contact:
American Express Company
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