American Express (AXP) Stock Buyback History
TTM buyback yield 3.14% · Shareholder yield (TTM) 3.14%.
TTM buyback yield
3.14%
Shareholder yield (TTM)
3.14%
5Y share count change
-13.6%
TTM buyback spend
$6.52B
SBC coverage (TTM)
10.93x
YoY change in spend
-3.4%
5Y CAGR of spend
+41.4%
Peak year (2021)
$7.65B
Cumulative spend
$79.39B
TTM metrics calculated from the four most recent reported quarters, ending (reported ).
Key takeaways
- American Express (AXP) repurchased about $6.52B of stock over the trailing twelve months.
- Diluted share count is down 13.6% over the last ~5 fiscal years — buybacks are net-shrinking the share base.
- TTM buyback ÷ stock-based-comp ratio of 10.93× — repurchases more than cover SBC dilution.
- Cash buyback spend has compounded at +41.4% per year over the latest 5-year window.
- TTM repurchases used about 54% of free cash flow remaining after dividends.
Buyback context per fiscal year
Annual repurchases alongside stock-based compensation, diluted share count and the year-over-year change — useful for SBC-coverage and dilution-offset reading at a glance.
| Year | Buybacks | SBC | Net | Shares (dil.) | YoY shares | Buyback yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5.81B | $551.00M | $5.26B | 0.70B | -2.4% | 2.29% |
| 2024 | $6.02B | $504.00M | $5.52B | 0.71B | -3.1% | 2.88% |
| 2023 | $3.65B | $450.00M | $3.20B | 0.74B | -2.1% | 2.69% |
| 2022 | $3.50B | $375.00M | $3.13B | 0.75B | -4.8% | 3.18% |
| 2021 | $7.65B | $330.00M | $7.32B | 0.79B | -2.0% | 5.95% |
| 2020 | $1.03B | $249.00M | $780.00M | 0.81B | -2.9% | 1.06% |
| 2019 | $4.68B | $283.00M | $4.40B | 0.83B | -3.4% | 4.62% |
| 2018 | $1.69B | $283.00M | $1.40B | 0.86B | -3.0% | 2.08% |
| 2017 | $4.40B | $282.00M | $4.12B | 0.89B | -5.2% | 5.12% |
| 2016 | $4.50B | $254.00M | $4.24B | 0.94B | -6.8% | 6.67% |
| 2015 | $4.58B | $234.00M | $4.34B | 1.00B | -4.6% | 6.73% |
| 2014 | $4.39B | $290.00M | $4.10B | 1.05B | -3.5% | 4.59% |
| 2013 | $3.94B | $350.00M | $3.59B | 1.09B | -4.6% | 4.07% |
| 2012 | $3.95B | $297.00M | $3.65B | 1.14B | -3.6% | 6.19% |
| 2011 | $2.30B | $301.00M | $2.00B | 1.18B | -0.9% | 4.20% |
| 2010 | $590.00M | $287.00M | $303.00M | 1.20B | 2.0% | 1.15% |
| 2009 | $3.39B | $202.00M | $3.19B | 1.17B | 1.2% | 7.06% |
| 2008 | $218.00M | $229.00M | −$11.00M | 1.16B | -3.3% | 1.02% |
| 2007 | $3.57B | $276.00M | $3.30B | 1.20B | -3.4% | 5.96% |
| 2006 | $4.09B | $298.00M | $3.79B | 1.24B | -1.6% | 5.68% |
| 2005 | $1.85B | $0.00 | $1.85B | 1.26B | -2.1% | 2.92% |
| 2004 | $3.58B | $0.00 | $3.58B | 1.28B | -1.0% | 5.80% |
| 2003 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 1.30B | -2.4% | — |
| 2002 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 1.33B | -0.4% | — |
| 2001 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 1.34B | -1.8% | — |
| 2000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 1.36B | -0.6% | — |
| 1999 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 1.37B | -1.5% | — |
| 1998 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 1.39B | -3.3% | — |
| 1997 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 1.44B | -1.7% | — |
| 1996 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 1.46B | — | — |
| 1995 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
| 1994 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
| 1993 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
| 1992 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
| 1991 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
| 1990 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
| 1989 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
Cash buyback spend (USD) — annual & quarterly history
Trailing-twelve-month and per-period cash repurchases for American Express (AXP) from the consolidated cash flow statement (line: common stock repurchased), in USD as filed.
Cash buyback spend over time for American Express (AXP)
Per-period cash repurchases
Cash buyback spend annual + quarterly history for American Express (AXP)
| Fiscal year | Period ended | Reported | Buyback Spend | YoY | YoY change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5.81B | -3.4% | -$206.00M | ||
| 2024 | $6.02B | +64.9% | +$2.37B | ||
| 2023 | $3.65B | +4.2% | +$148.00M | ||
| 2022 | $3.50B | -54.2% | -$4.15B | ||
| 2021 | $7.65B | +643.6% | +$6.62B | ||
| 2020 | $1.03B | -78.0% | -$3.66B | ||
| 2019 | $4.68B | +178.0% | +$3.00B | ||
| 2018 | $1.69B | -61.7% | -$2.71B | ||
| 2017 | $4.40B | -2.2% | -$98.00M | ||
| 2016 | $4.50B | -1.7% | -$77.00M | ||
| 2015 | $4.58B | +4.2% | +$186.00M | ||
| 2014 | $4.39B | +11.3% | +$446.00M | ||
| 2013 | $3.94B | -0.2% | -$9.00M | ||
| 2012 | $3.95B | +71.8% | +$1.65B | ||
| 2011 | $2.30B | +289.8% | +$1.71B | ||
| 2010 | $590.00M | -82.6% | -$2.80B | ||
| 2009 | $3.39B | +1454.6% | +$3.17B | ||
| 2008 | $218.00M | -93.9% | -$3.35B | ||
| 2007 | $3.57B | -12.7% | -$521.00M | ||
| 2006 | $4.09B | +120.9% | +$2.24B | ||
| 2005 | $1.85B | -48.2% | -$1.73B | ||
| 2004 | $3.58B | — | +$3.58B | ||
| 2003 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2002 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2001 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2000 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1999 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1998 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1997 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1996 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1995 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1994 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1993 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1992 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1991 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1990 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1989 | $0 | — | — |
American Express (AXP) most recent annual buyback spend stands at $5.81B (2025) – edged down 3.4% year-over-year.
American Express buyback spend compound annual growth for the 2020–2025 (5 years) window is +41.4%, with the latest reading among the more recent periods of the dataset.
Between 2021 and 2025, American Express buyback spend declined 24.0%, falling from $7.65B to $5.81B.
2021 marks the peak buyback spend at $7.65B, with the historical low of $0 recorded in 1989.
Among 8 Financial Services peers, American Express (AXP) ranks 8th; the peer median for buyback spend is $12.87B.
American Express Buyback Spend 2025: $5.81B
American Express buyback spend in 2025 was $5.81B, edged down 3.4% below 2024.
American Express Buyback Spend 2024: $6.02B
American Express buyback spend in 2024 was $6.02B, surged 64.9% from 2023.
American Express Buyback Spend 2023: $3.65B
American Express buyback spend in 2023 was $3.65B, edged up 4.2% from 2022.
American Express Buyback Spend 2022: $3.50B
American Express buyback spend in 2022 was $3.50B, plunged 54.2% below 2021.
American Express Buyback Spend 2021: $7.65B
American Express buyback spend in 2021 was $7.65B.
See more financial history for American Express (AXP).
Sector peers by buyback spend
Companies in the same sector as American Express, ranked by their latest buyback spend.
| Company | Buyback Spend | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| JPMorgan Chase (JPM) | $34.59B | Financial Services |
| Bank of America (BAC) | $21.43B | Financial Services |
| Wells Fargo (WFC) | $19.52B | Financial Services |
| Visa (V) | $13.39B | Financial Services |
| Goldman Sachs (GS) | $12.36B | Financial Services |
| Mastercard (MA) | $11.73B | Financial Services |
| Morgan Stanley (MS) | $5.83B | Financial Services |
| Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) | $0 | Financial Services |
Share count history
Diluted weighted-average shares drive the EPS denominator and per-share capital-return maths. A falling diluted share count means buybacks are outpacing dilution from stock-based compensation and option exercises.
Diluted vs basic shares (annual)
Year-over-year change in diluted shares
Green is fewer shares vs the prior fiscal year (net repurchase); red is growth (dilution). The earliest year shown has no prior year to compare.
Dividend & buyback yield over time
Stacked annual yields — buyback yield (TTM cash repurchases ÷ market cap) plus dividend yield from the same fiscal-year-end key-metrics period — show how total cash return per dollar of equity has evolved.
Buybacks vs stock-based compensation
Annual cash repurchases set against stock-based compensation. Coverage above 1× means buybacks fully offset the equity dilution from SBC. TTM coverage: 10.93×.
Capital allocation mix
How American Express splits cash returned to shareholders between dividends and buybacks, plus the headroom on free cash flow that's still available for additional repurchases.
Buybacks vs dividends (share of cash returned)
Buyback capacity (TTM)
Free cash flow minus dividends paid versus actual TTM repurchases — the headroom bar shows how much of post-dividend FCF is still being deployed elsewhere.
Headroom $11.98B (TTM FCF − TTM dividends, clamped at zero).
Data & methodology
Where do buyback, dividend and compensation figures come from?
Cash buyback spend (common stock repurchased), dividends paid and stock-based compensation come from American Express's consolidated cash flow statements — quarterly 10-Q and annual 10-K SEC filings, in USD as reported.
How are diluted shares and yields calculated?
Diluted weighted-average share counts come from the income statement (EPS denominator). Trailing twelve-month (TTM) aggregates sum the four most recent reported quarters. Buyback and dividend yields divide TTM cash flows by market capitalisation at the latest quarter-end.
How is buyback capacity defined?
Capacity compares TTM repurchases to free cash flow after dividends: operating cash flow minus capital expenditure, minus dividends paid, versus actual buybacks over the same trailing window.
Is this investment advice?
No. Figures are for informational and educational use only. Past buybacks and dividends do not predict future returns.
Frequently asked questions
Does American Express buy back its own stock?
Yes, American Express (AXP) has repurchased shares in recent periods. See the history table and charts on this page for amounts and trends.
How much does American Express spend on share buybacks?
Trailing twelve months (TTM) buyback spend is about $6.52B (sum of the last four quarterly cash-flow periods in our data). Figures are illustrative; verify in filings.
What is American Express's buyback yield?
TTM buyback yield is about 3.14% (TTM buyback spend divided by market cap at the latest quarter-end in our data).
What is American Express's shareholder yield?
Shareholder yield combines dividend yield and buyback yield. For the latest period we show approximately 3.14% combined (TTM-based where available).
Is American Express diluting shareholders?
Compare stock-based compensation (SBC) to buybacks in the chart above. Net effect varies by year; see annual buyback vs SBC bars and the history table.
How has American Express's share count changed?
Diluted weighted average shares changed by about -13.6% over roughly five fiscal years (annual income statement data).
What is American Express's buyback spend?
Latest reported buyback spend for American Express (AXP) is $6.52B (period ending March 31, 2026).
How has American Express buyback spend changed year-over-year?
American Express (AXP) buyback spend changed -3.4% year-over-year on the latest annual filing.
What is the long-term growth rate of American Express buyback spend?
American Express (AXP) buyback spend compound annual growth rate is +41.4% over the most recent 5 years available.
When did American Express buyback spend hit its highest annual value?
American Express buyback spend reached its highest annual value of $7.65B in 2021.
What was American Express buyback spend in 2024?
American Express (AXP) buyback spend in 2024 was $6.02B.
What was American Express buyback spend in 2025?
American Express (AXP) buyback spend in 2025 was $5.81B.
Explore more
AXP Overview
Company profile, financial tools, and key metrics
AXP Revenue Counter
Earns $2,613 every second. See per minute, hour, and day.
AXP Earnings Counter
Earns $355.78 per second net profit. See per minute, hour, and day.
AXP Economic Scale
Exceeds Ghana's GDP. Compare with world economies.
AXP What If Invested
What if you had invested $1,000? See historical returns from any date.
AXP How It Makes Money
Discover visual breakdown of $82.41B in revenue — where it comes from and where it goes.
AXP Stock Seasonality
Best and worst months to invest. Historical monthly returns heatmap.
AXP Price Target Scenarios
Model bear, base, and bull cases with EPS growth and exit P/E — pre-filled from analysts and history.
AXP Daily Price Character
Balanced · 47.6% historical win rate (green days). Streaks & record days.
AXP Stock Split History
6 splits on record. Dates, ratios, and cumulative multiple.
AXP Dividend Profile
Yield: 1.10%. Safety: 6/8. See full history.
AXP Dividend Calculator
How much dividend income would $1,000 have earned? Calculate from any date.
AXP Dividend Forecast
Project future income with DRIP, growth assumptions, and optional monthly contributions.
AXP Dividend Capture
Historical pre-ex touch stats, gap distribution, after-tax calculator, and a backtest simulator (limit-order vs MOC exit).
AXP Financials
Revenue, EPS, EBITDA, market cap, debt and balance sheet history with annual and quarterly data.