American Express reports stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings, but its shares decline as the company maintains an unchanged profit outlook. According to the reports, the card issuer posts earnings of $4.53 per share in the quarter, which is up 11% from the same period a year earlier. Revenue growth is supported by higher customer activity, with card member spending rising 9% year over year. Despite the improvement in profit and spending, investors react negatively to guidance that does not change. One outlet notes that the profit outlook remains the same, which contributes to the stock slipping. Overall, the coverage indicates that the company’s near-term financial performance exceeds expectations, but the lack of an upward revision to its earnings forecast limits investor enthusiasm. The contrast between stronger quarterly results and steady guidance drives the downward move in the shares, even as consumer spending on cards continues to grow.