Updating Motorola Solutions Inc. and American Express Co.

Article Excerpt

MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC. $68 (www.motorolasolutions.com) has completed its offer to buy back $2.0 billion worth of its shares. Under the plan, it repurchased 30.1 million shares, or 14.5% of the total outstanding, for $66.50 each. Buybacks raise earnings per share and other per-share calculations and give the remaining shareholders a larger stake in the company. However, demand for Motorola Solutions’ specialized communications gear, such as radios for police and fire vehicles, remains weak. It also gets a third of its sales from outside of North America, and the higher U.S. dollar is slowing its growth. Hold. AMERICAN EXPRESS CO. $76 (www.americanexpress.com) is finding new retail partners to help offset the upcoming expiry of its deal with Costco’s U.S. stores, under which the chain only accepts American Express credit cards. For example, Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club subsidiary recently agreed to accept Amex’s cards at its 650 warehouse stores in the U.S. Buy. Buy…