Key Points American Express' success comes from its wide economic moat, which protects its competitive position. The company has a strong brand and a powerful network effect. 10 stocks we like better than American Express › It's strikingly clear that American Express (NYSE: AXP) has made for an exceptional investment. In the past five years, shares have produced a total return of 260% (as of Oct. 20). They trade at an all-time high these days, most recently buoyed by strong financial performance for ...