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How American Express makes money
American Express brought in $41.3 billion in revenue in 2025 and kept $10.8 billion as profit: $26.23 of every $100. Its biggest source of money was U.S. consumer cards, at $15.6 billion (38% of the total).
From American Express' Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Page updated November 8, 2026.
Out of every $100 American Express took in, it kept
Where American Express' money comes from. 4 lines in its 10‑K.
6 years of American Express' revenue and profit.
Fiscal years as American Express reports them; the latest ended December 31, 2025. Profit is net income.
Quick answers about American Express.
How does American Express make money?
American Express earns fees from merchants on every swipe, card fees from members, and interest on card balances. The biggest line in its latest 10-K is U.S. consumer cards ($15.6 billion).
How much money does American Express make a year?
$41.3 billion in revenue in 2025, and $10.8 billion in net profit. That's up 6% from the year before.
Is American Express profitable?
Yes. American Express made $10.8 billion in net profit in 2025, which is $26.23 of every $100 it took in.
How many employees does American Express have?
About 76,800 employees as of December 31, 2025. That works out to $537,812 in revenue per employee.
Is American Express growing?
Yes. Revenue went from $22.0 billion in 2020 to $41.3 billion in 2025, up 88%.
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CompareSource: American Express Company, annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 6, 2026.
Revenue, profit and the breakdowns are the numbers the company reported in that filing (its XBRL data). Profit means net income; "operating profit" means operating income. Nothing on this page is estimated.