American Express Global Business Travel Doubles Share Repurchase Authorization to $600 Million

Increased authorization reflects confidence in Amex GBT's ability to deliver growth, AI-enabled innovation, and margin expansion

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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American Express Global Business Travel, a leading software and services company for travel, expense, and meetings & events, announced that its board of directors has increased the capacity of the company's existing share repurchase program to $600 million, an increase of $300 million. The authorization reflects confidence in Amex GBT's ability to deliver growth, AI-enabled product innovation, margin expansion and cash generation while maintaining a strong balance sheet and delivering attractive capital returns to shareholders.

Why it matters

The increased share repurchase authorization signals Amex GBT's management team believes the company's stock is undervalued and provides a way for the company to return capital to shareholders. It also demonstrates confidence in Amex GBT's ability to leverage AI and automation to drive growth, innovation, and margin expansion in the business travel industry.

The details

Amex GBT also reported strong preliminary unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025, including revenue growth of 34% to $792 million, Total Transaction Value (TTV) growth of 45% to $10 billion, Adjusted EBITDA growth of 17% to $130 million, and net income of $83 million. For the full year 2025, the company reported revenue growth of 12% to $2.718 billion, TTV growth of 17% to $36 billion, Adjusted EBITDA growth of 11% to $532 million, and net income of $111 million. Amex GBT also issued full-year 2026 guidance, expecting revenue growth of 19% to 21% and Adjusted EBITDA growth of 16% to 21%.

  • Amex GBT will release final financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025 before market open on March 9, 2026.
  • The company's CEO and CFO will discuss the financial performance and business outlook on a live audio webcast at 9:00 a.m. ET on March 9, 2026.

The players

American Express Global Business Travel

A leading software and services company for travel, expense, and meetings & events, operated by Global Business Travel Group, Inc.

Paul Abbott

Chief Executive Officer of American Express Global Business Travel.

Karen Williams

Chief Financial Officer of American Express Global Business Travel.

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What they’re saying

“Our upsized share repurchase authorization drives shareholder value with strong expected return on invested capital given the current share price. It also signals management's confidence in our fundamental AI advantages and opportunities. We have set the foundation and have all the critical assets to lead in agentic AI and power the future of business travel with AI-enabled product innovation while delivering significant cost savings through AI-powered automation. We expect 2026 to be a transformational year for our business as we execute on our levers to unlock growth and productivity.”

— Paul Abbott, Chief Executive Officer (businesswire.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Amex GBT's increased share repurchase authorization and strong financial results demonstrate the company's confidence in its ability to leverage AI and automation to drive growth, innovation, and margin expansion in the business travel industry. This signals a transformational year ahead as the company executes on its strategy to unlock value for shareholders.