Independent Financial Group LLC Makes New $2.26 Million Investment in American Express Company $AXP

Independent Financial Group LLC bought a new position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 7,476 shares of the payment services company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,261,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in American Express in the fourth quarter worth $2,464,215,000. Capital World Investors increased its stake in American Express by 46.7% during the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 7,515,675 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $2,780,424,000 after purchasing an additional 2,393,340 shares during the last quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA raised its holdings in shares of American Express by 73.8% during the first quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 1,451,606 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $438,975,000 after purchasing an additional 616,498 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in shares of American Express by 7.7% during the fourth quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,850,298 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $2,904,218,000 after purchasing an additional 558,533 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi lifted its position in shares of American Express by 23.9% in the 3rd quarter. Amundi now owns 2,787,580 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $925,449,000 after buying an additional 537,205 shares during the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key American Express News

Here are the key news stories impacting American Express this week:

• Neutral Sentiment: Jefferies reiterated its Hold rating on American Express, signaling a wait-and-see stance rather than a more bullish upgrade. Jefferies Sticks to Their Hold Rating for American Express (AXP)
• Neutral Sentiment: Barclays also kept a Hold rating on AXP, reinforcing the view that analysts are not seeing an immediate upside catalyst. Barclays Keeps Their Hold Rating on American Express (AXP)
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks-related coverage noted that American Express has been attracting trading attention, but the article does not point to a fresh operational update or earnings surprise. Here is What to Know Beyond Why American Express Company (AXP) is a Trending Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Another Zacks piece similarly frames AXP as a trending stock without adding a new fundamental driver. Here is What to Know Beyond Why American Express Company (AXP) is a Trending Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage ahead of earnings highlighted that American Express was expected to report results soon, but the item itself did not provide a new beat/miss or guidance update. American Express (AXP) Projected to Release Earnings on Friday

American Express Trading Down 1.7%

Shares of NYSE:AXP opened at $355.44 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $242.52 billion, a PE ratio of 22.17, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.04. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $329.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $331.33. American Express Company has a fifty-two week low of $288.34 and a fifty-two week high of $387.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.01 by $0.27. American Express had a net margin of 15.13% and a return on equity of 33.95%. The firm had revenue of $14.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.60 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.64 EPS. American Express’s revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 17.67 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be issued a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 2nd. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is 23.71%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AXP has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of American Express from $340.00 to $386.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of American Express from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Benchmark began coverage on American Express in a research note on Monday, July 13th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Bank of America upped their target price on American Express from $387.00 to $391.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on American Express from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $374.15.

American Express Profile

American Express is a global financial services company primarily known for its payment card products, travel services and merchant network. Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company evolved through the 20th century into a payments and travel-focused organization. Its core activities include issuing consumer and commercial charge and credit cards, operating a global card acceptance and processing network, and providing travel-related services and customer loyalty programs.

American Express issues a range of products for individuals, small businesses and large corporations, including personal cards, business and corporate cards, and co‑brand partnerships with airlines, hotels and retailers.