In this episode of Investing for Beginners, Dave is joined by Brett Schafer from Chit Chat Stocks to delve into the business model and competitive advantages of American Express (Amex).

They discuss Amex’s unique vertically integrated model, combining credit card issuance with payment processing, and its robust revenue streams from swipe fees, credit card loans, and high-fee premium cards. They also highlight Amex’s strong brand equity, historical resilience, and strategic partnerships. They tackle potential risks, the benefits of their network effect, customer satisfaction issues, and the prospects of emerging competitors. To conclude, Brett shares his cautious optimism about the company and his investment strategy around it.

00:03 American Express: A Deep Dive

01:18 Buffett's History with American Express

02:54 American Express Business Model Explained

04:04 Revenue Breakdown and Key Drivers

05:56 High Fee, High Reward Cards

11:28 Expanding Customer Base

14:25 American Express' Competitive Moat

21:24 The Power of American Express

24:30 The Value of American Express for Merchants

25:00 American Express's Marketing Strategy

26:10 Pandemic Impact and Recovery

27:36 Potential Risks and Downsides

29:35 Competition and Market Position

35:32 Why Not Invest in American Express?

41:05 Key Performance Indicators to Watch

Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening.

Today’s show is sponsored by:

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More from Brett:

Chit Chat Stocks Podcast

Chit Chat Stocks Substack

Brett's X Handle CCM_Brett

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