New York, March 2, 2026, 14:03 (EST) — Regular session
- American Express traded near $309 in the afternoon, showing minimal movement.
- U.S. factory data brought fresh inflation signals, squeezing rate cut hopes even further.
- March 6 brings U.S. jobs figures, while AmEx’s next shot at moving the needle comes with its April 24 earnings report. Investors are watching both dates for direction.
American Express shares hovered near $308.88 on Monday, barely budging as investors balanced a firmer inflation reading with the card company’s consistent outlook.
Why does the stock grab attention? AmEx is right where two hot debates meet: just how long rates will stay elevated, and if consumers—including the higher-income crowd—will keep opening their wallets. Either trend flipping can hit card lender earnings in a hurry.
The day’s numbers backed up the underlying tension. A U.S. factory survey stayed in positive territory, but input costs spiked sharply—prompting economists to push back expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. “The surge in the prices paid index will raise some eyebrows at the Fed,” Capital Economics’ Thomas Ryan noted, as oil prices climbed following weekend attacks on Iran. 1
American Express is moving ahead with plans for a new headquarters at 2 World Trade Center in New York, aiming to break ground in spring 2026 and wrap up construction by 2031. In its latest Form 8-K filing with the SEC, the company noted that the development shouldn’t have a material impact on financials. 2
Payments stocks saw a mixed session. Visa edged down a touch; Mastercard ticked higher. Capital One dropped, with consumer finance names trading unevenly.
Financials lagged, as the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund slipped.
Friday brings the next big macro data point. The U.S. Labor Department will drop its February jobs report at 8:30 a.m. Eastern on March 6, a release that could shake up expectations around wages, inflation, and when the Fed moves. 3
AmEx has locked in April 24 for its first-quarter 2026 earnings release. Traders have their eyes on billed business, shifts in credit losses, and whether the company keeps its 2026 growth targets in place. 4
Still, the next move for the stock might not hinge on headlines. Sticky inflation and elevated borrowing costs could create a tougher backdrop for card issuers: spending growth could slow, net interest income might get squeezed, and if household budgets tighten, delinquencies could climb.
AmEx caught attention back on Jan. 30 after forecasting 2026 earnings per share between $17.30 and $17.90, banking on what the company called consistent outlays from its wealthier clientele. 5
At this point, the two markers haven’t changed: Friday’s March 6 jobs report—traders looking for rate-cut signals—and AmEx’s earnings on April 24, which should give a snapshot of consumer spending and credit trends as spring unfolds.
