After American Express reported Q1 EPS that topped the consensus forecast, JMP Securities analyst David Scharf noted that American Express' average quarterly EPS for the remainder of the year is slightly below the Q1 level, even at the high end of management's 2018 guidance. He raised his 2018 EPS estimate to account for the flow-through of Q1 upside and also raised his 2019 estimate based on the increasing momentum in customer engagement. However, he keeps a Market Perform rating on American Express shares, which he views as fairly valued at current levels.

Wells Fargo raised the firm's price target on American Express to $265 from $250 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm sees a good case for management to express greater confidence in or lean to the upper end of the EPS or revenue guide for 2024. With the macro haze fading, Wells believes investors will come away with a greater appreciation of the competitive position and moat.

BMO Capital raised the firm's price target on American Express to $175 from $167 and keeps an Underperform rating on the shares. The firm cites the company's broad-based Q1 earnings beat, with higher than previously-modeled net interest income and slightly lower credit costs being partly offset by higher expected operating expenses. BMO adds however that it remains concerned that American Express's elevated loan restructuring rate could eventually bleed into higher credit provisions.

RBC Capital raised the firm's price target on American Express to $253 from $250 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The company's Q1 results showed a "good quarter" with revenues that met expectations, controlled core expenses, and acceptable credit trends, the analyst tells investors in a research note. While spend volumes continued to moderate, American Express management remains confident on the near and longer term revenue trajectory, the firm added.

Morgan Stanley raised the firm's price target on American Express to $226 from $222 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares following Q1 results that were better than expected, led by net interest income, credit, and expenses. The firm is taking forward EPS up 1%, noting that its 2024 estimate is now above the midpoint of management's EPS guidance at $13.02, though it maintains an Equal Weight rating, citing valuation.