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American Express reports uptick in card loan delinquencies

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American Express Co. (NYSE:) disclosed an increase in delinquency rates for its U.S. Consumer and Small Business Card Member loans in May compared to the previous month, according to a regulatory filing on Monday.

The credit card giant reported that delinquencies in its U.S. Consumer Card Member loans rose to 1.3% of total loans in May, up from 1.4% in April and March. The total loans for this segment stood at $84.0 billion as of May 31, 2024. For U.S. Small Business Card Member loans, the delinquency rate remained steady at 1.4% in May, equal to April but slightly down from 1.5% in March. The total loans for small businesses reached $28.2 billion.

American Express also reported net write-off rates based on principal only, with the U.S. Consumer segment seeing a decrease to 2.4% in May from 2.5% in April, while the U.S. Small Business segment experienced an increase to 2.5% in May from 2.2% in April.

The company noted that these figures do not directly correspond with the credit performance reported by the American Express Credit Account Master Trust in its monthly Form 10-D reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The trust’s data may vary due to differences in loan characteristics, calculations, and reporting mechanics.

The statistics provided are deemed additional to the data reported by the Lending Trust, which includes securitized loans. The trust’s ending total principal balance was $25.8 billion with an annualized default rate, net of recoveries, of 1.4% for the period ending May 31, 2024.

In other recent news, American Express has been the focus of several financial firms. Barclays maintained an Equalweight rating on the company, predicting a potential 10% revenue growth by 2024, largely driven by Net Interest Income contributions. Wells Fargo has also maintained an Overweight rating, viewing the current stock valuation as an investment opportunity. Citi, however, initiated coverage with a Neutral rating, setting a price target of $250.00 per share, based on lower revenue projections offset by reduced expenses.

BTIG also initiated coverage on American Express with a Neutral rating, citing potential challenges for consumer spending levels. Despite these concerns, American Express was recognized for its successful growth of new accounts in both Consumer and Commercial sectors. The company also received authorization from Russian President Vladimir Putin to voluntarily shut down its operations in Russia, marking a shift in international business relationships due to geopolitical tensions.

Lastly, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods maintained their Outperform rating on American Express, indicating potential upside for the company’s stock. These are recent developments that investors may want to keep an eye on.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of American Express’s recent financial disclosures, investors may find the following InvestingPro Insights particularly relevant. The company, known for its robust presence in the consumer finance industry, is trading at a P/E ratio of 18.52, which is considered low relative to its near-term earnings growth. This is further underscored by an adjusted P/E ratio of 17.87 for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, suggesting a potentially attractive valuation for earnings-oriented investors.

With a consistent track record of dividend payments for over half a century, American Express has demonstrated a commitment to returning value to shareholders. The dividend yield currently stands at 1.25%, complemented by a significant dividend growth of 16.67% over the last twelve months. Moreover, the company’s revenue has shown a healthy growth of 9.33% during the same period, indicating a solid top-line expansion.

For those considering an investment in American Express, note that the company has experienced a price uptick of 25.34% over the last six months, reflecting investor confidence. For more detailed analysis and additional InvestingPro Tips, such as the fact that American Express’s liquid assets exceed short term obligations, visit InvestingPro. To enhance your investment strategy with more insights, use coupon code PRONEWS24 for an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription. There are 7 more InvestingPro Tips available that could guide your investment decisions in American Express.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Stock Markets

SCWO Stock Hits 52-Week Low at $0.71 Amid Market Challenges

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In a challenging market environment, shares of 374Water (SCWO) have touched a 52-week low, dipping to $0.71. The company, with a market capitalization of $104 million, maintains a strong liquidity position with a current ratio of 3.81 and more cash than debt on its balance sheet, according to InvestingPro data. The company, which specializes in water treatment solutions, has seen its stock price struggle significantly over the past year, reflecting a broader trend in the sector. Investors have been cautious, as evidenced by the stock’s 1-year change, which shows a substantial decline of 52.96%. InvestingPro analysis indicates the stock is currently in oversold territory, with 18 additional investment insights available to subscribers. This downturn highlights the volatility faced by environmental technology companies and raises concerns about future performance amidst uncertain market conditions. With a beta of -0.51, the stock typically moves opposite to market direction, potentially offering diversification benefits.

In other recent news, 374Water Inc. has secured approximately $12.2 million through a registered direct offering, involving the sale of common stock and warrants. The cleantech company expects the gross proceeds before fees and expenses to be around the $12.2 million mark, with D. Boral (OTC:) Capital LLC serving as the exclusive placement agent for the offering. The capital infusion is scheduled to be finalized by November 18, 2024, pending customary closing conditions.

In further developments, 374Water has initiated operations of its AirSCWO technology at the Iron Bridge Regional Water Reclamation Facility in Orlando. This marks a significant step in commercial biosolids processing, with the technology designed to efficiently process biosolids and PFAS contaminated wastes. The successful integration of the AirSCWO system into the Iron Bridge facility demonstrates the company’s capacity to destroy persistent organic pollutants, including PFAS.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection supported the installation with a grant under the Bilateral Infrastructure Law emerging contaminant funding. Notably, CEO Chris Gannon highlighted the operational success in Orlando as crucial for showcasing the technology’s capacity to manage municipal, federal, and industrial organic waste streams at scale. The company anticipates additional commitments across the United States, including a deployment to Orange County Sanitation (CA) in 2025.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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Global shares and dollar firm in muted pre-Christmas trade

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By Alden Bentley, Samuel Indyk and Rae Wee

NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) -Wall Street topped off a global share rally in thin trade on Thursday as markets prepared for early Christmas Eve closes, while the dollar was buoyed by firmer Treasury yields and speculation that the Federal Reserve would slow its easing in 2025.

The was 0.47% higher in late morning trade, the rose 0.73% and the rose 0.99%.

U.S. stock trading wraps up at 1:00 p.m. EDT/1800 GMT, and the bond market closes at 2:00 p.m. Most financial centers around the world are closed on Wednesday for Christmas. The U.S. reopens on Thursday, while many financial centers have a second day off.

“Meagre news and data flow should keep the focus on a more hawkish Fed,” said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank.

MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe went up more than half a percent. The pan-European index rose 0.18%. 100 rose 0.19% and 40 rose 0.14%. German stocks were closed for the Christmas holiday.

In Asia, Chinese stocks rose after sources told Reuters that Beijing planned to issue a record amount of special treasury bonds next year as it ramps up fiscal stimulus to revive a faltering economy.

The blue-chip index and both ended 1.3% higher. Hong Kong’s advanced 1.1%.

The news came shortly after China’s finance ministry said authorities would ramp up fiscal support for consumption next year by raising pensions and medical insurance subsidies for residents, as well as expanding consumer goods trade-ins.

Still, investors remain cautious on the outlook for the world’s second-largest economy, particularly as it faces the threat of hefty tariffs from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

Elsewhere, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.37%.

FED FOCUS

Investors are taking direction from last week’s 25 basis point Fed interest rate cut, its signals on the strength of the economy and its slow progress bringing inflation down to its 2% target. Markets are now pricing in about 35 basis points of easing for 2025, implying one quarter-point rate cut and around a 40% chance of a second.

U.S. Treasury yields pared gains after the Treasury saw solid demand for a $70 billion sale of five-year notes, but remained higher on the day. The two-year Treasury yield, which is sensitive to changes in Fed rate expectations, was up 0.9 bp at 4.359%, while the benchmark 10-year yield rose 2.6 bp to 4.625%, reaching a seven-month high at 4.629%. [US/]

“Like markets, the Fed will need to consider U.S. policies on tariffs and immigration in its inflation and growth outlook. We believe the subtle slowing in the U.S. labor market will still be the Fed’s paramount concern,” said analysts at Citi Wealth.

“While always uncertain, our base case expectation for a 3.75% policy rate is unchanged. It’s a far cry from the 1.7% U.S. policy rate average of the past 20 years.”

The Fed’s cut was the third one this cycle, taking the Fed funds rate to 4.25%-4.5%.

Ahead of Trump’s return to the White House in January, global central banks have urged caution over their rate paths due to uncertainty on how his planned tariffs, lower taxes and immigration curbs might affect policy.

Data on Monday showed U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly weakened in December as the post-election euphoria fizzled and concerns about future business conditions emerged.

In currencies, the rose 0.14% hovering near a two-year high hit Monday, having climbed more than 2% in December so far.

The euro eased 0.15% to $1.0389, while the yen languished near last week’s five-month low, trading at 157.35 per dollar.

Japan’s Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato on Tuesday reiterated Tokyo’s discomfort with excessive foreign exchange moves and put speculators on notice that authorities are ready to act to stabilise a faltering yen.

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: The German stock exchange is decorated for the Christmas season as the German share price index DAX graph is pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, December 23, 2024.    REUTERS/Staff/File Photo

rose 0.13% to $2,616.26 an ounce, having risen about 27% this year, heading for its biggest yearly gain since 2010.

rose 1.56% to $70.32 a barrel and rose to $73.73 per barrel, up 1.51% on the day. [O/R]

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Wall Street advances in short Christmas Eve session on megacap gains

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By David French

(Reuters) -Wall Street’s main indexes all ended higher on Tuesday, with gains in megacap and growth stocks bolstering benchmarks in a truncated Christmas Eve session.

Both the and the scored four straight sessions of gains. For the Dow, the run follows its 10-session skid earlier this month, its longest losing streak since 1974.

The benchmarks closed higher on the first day of a historically strong period called the “Santa Claus rally.” The on average has gained 1.3% in the last five days of December and first two days of January, according to data from the Stock Trader’s Almanac going back to 1969.

With megacap stocks having outsized influence on markets, their performance is often a key driver of indexes. When coupled with reduced trading volumes and few other catalysts, as many investors take time off for the holidays, this is even more pronounced.

All the so-called Magnificent Seven megacap technology stocks climbed on Tuesday, led by Tesla (NASDAQ:).

The automaker’s rise helped push consumer discretionary shares higher, making them the top gaining sector in the S&P.

Elsewhere, chip manufacturers were also buoyant. Broadcom (NASDAQ:) and Nvidia (NASDAQ:) were up, while Arm Holdings (NASDAQ:) climbed a day after losses from losing a court case.

Growth names rose despite U.S. Treasury interest rates remaining elevated – the benchmark 10-year note yielded around 4.61% on Tuesday. Traditionally, higher debt costs crimp growth stocks.

However, the long-term themes around technology development, including advancements in artificial intelligence, overshadow any near-term moves in Treasuries, said Charlie Ripley, senior investment strategist for Allianz (ETR:) Investment Management.

“This reinforces that view that the sector is going to remain strong, and should be well into the new year,” he said.

According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 gained 64.93 points, or 1.09%, to end at 6,039.00 points, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 264.31 points, or 1.34%, to 20,029.19. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 366.75 points, or 0.85%, to 43,273.70.

Stock markets shut at 1:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and will be closed for Christmas on Wednesday.

After a stellar run to record highs following the November election, which sparked hopes of pro-business policies under U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Wall Street’s rally hit a bump this month as investors grappled with the prospect of higher interest rates in 2025.

The U.S. Federal Reserve eased borrowing costs for the third time this year last Wednesday, but signaled only two more 25-basis-point reductions next year, down from its September projection of four cuts, as policymakers weigh the possibility of Trump’s policies stoking inflation.

Allianz’s Ripley said the themes which had driven the market higher in the past two months remained intact, and actions by the Fed had not killed the rally.

“Heading into 2025, things are set up with good positioning,” he said, noting factors including economic outlook, consumption in the U.S. and the labor market.

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A Christmas tree is seen outside of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at Wall St and Broad St. in New York City, U.S., December 13, 2023.  REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

Crypto-related stocks traded higher on Tuesday, including Microstrategy (NASDAQ:), Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:), and MARA Holdings, as the price of bitcoin advanced.

NeueHealth soared after the healthcare provider said New Enterprise Associates, its largest shareholder, and a group of existing investors will take the company private in a $1.3 billion deal.

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