Is AXP (American Express Company) Halal or Haram?

Based on our AAOIFI-standard shariah screening, AXP is Not Halal (Haram) and is not considered permissible for Muslim investors. It failed 2 of 4 compliance screens. American Express Company's core business activity was found to be non-compliant. Its interest income of 31.81% exceeds the ≤5% limit.

American Express Company (AXP) is a major global financial services corporation known for its charge cards, credit payment products, and travel-related services. The company operates extensively across consumer and commercial segments, providing network services, expense management, and merchant acquisition worldwide. For Muslim investors using HalalStocks.co.uk, American Express is classified as Not Halal (Haram) and must be avoided. The stock fails two critical AAOIFI screens, specifically the core business activity check due to its conventional financial services, and the strict interest income threshold. From an Islamic finance perspective, the most glaring issue is AXP's interest income, which accounts for 31.81% of its total revenue—well above the 5% limit. However, its balance sheet metrics like the debt-to-market cap ratio (26.8%) and cash-to-market cap ratio (22.6%) technically fall within acceptable ranges. Because the core business model relies heavily on riba (interest) through credit card lending and conventional financing products, there is no scholarly debate regarding its non-compliance. Halal investors must seek alternative, shariah-compliant payment networks or Islamic financial institutions for their portfolios. American Express Company operates in the Financial Services sector under the Financial - Credit Services industry and is headquartered in New York City, NY, US. The company is led by CEO Stephen Joseph Squeri and employs approximately 75,100 people.

AXP was screened using AAOIFI-based shariah compliance criteria. Four tests are applied: (1) Business Activity — the company's core business must not derive primary income from haram (prohibited) activities such as alcohol, gambling, tobacco, or interest-based finance. (2) Debt-to-Market-Cap — total debt must not exceed 33% of market capitalization. (3) Interest Income — interest income must not exceed 5% of total revenue. (4) Cash & Securities — cash and interest-bearing securities must not exceed 33% of market cap. AXP passed 2 of these 4 screens.

AXP was last screened on 2026-04-27. Shariah compliance status can change as companies report new financial data, acquire new businesses, or shift revenue streams. We recommend checking back periodically for the most up-to-date screening results.