American Express Company $AXP Shares Sold by Commonwealth Equity Services LLC

Commonwealth Equity Services LLC trimmed its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 269,034 shares of the payment services company’s stock after selling 12,348 shares during the quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC’s holdings in American Express were worth $81,813,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Flputnam Investment Management Co. acquired a new stake in shares of American Express in the 2nd quarter worth $12,879,000. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of American Express by 40.2% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 40,967,262 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $13,857,176,000 after acquiring an additional 11,739,541 shares during the last quarter. Evolve Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Express during the second quarter valued at about $5,172,000. Silicon Valley Capital Partners lifted its stake in shares of American Express by 14.9% during the second quarter. Silicon Valley Capital Partners now owns 41,480 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $14,030,000 after buying an additional 5,365 shares during the period. Finally, OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp purchased a new stake in shares of American Express during the second quarter valued at $11,642,000. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express has reduced its share count by 27% since 2016, while diluted earnings per share increased 352% from Q3 2016 to the latest quarter. The article credits its premium brand and network advantages—long-term strengths that have helped shareholders, rather than a new near-term development. Article: American Express Has Cut Its Share Count by 27% Since 2016
• Positive Sentiment: ETFs recorded $41.8 million in net purchases of AXP shares on Nov. 4, providing a modest signal of institutional demand. Article: American Express Sees $41.8 Million in Net ETF Buying
• Negative Sentiment: A report says American Express insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares. Insider sales can weigh on sentiment, although the provided report does not give context for the transaction. Article: Insider Laureen Seeger Sells 69,860 Shares
• Negative Sentiment: AXP also had a notable decline in the prior session, but the cited coverage does not specify what drove the move. This recent weakness may be weighing on near-term sentiment. Article: American Express Drops 3.5%

American Express Stock Performance

AXP traded down $3.95 on Friday, reaching $321.02. The stock had a trading volume of 2,932,179 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,071,100. American Express Company has a 12-month low of $290.97 and a 12-month high of $387.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $316.22 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $325.65. The company has a market cap of $215.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.09.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.50 by $0.18. American Express had a return on equity of 34.19% and a net margin of 15.80%. The company had revenue of $20.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $4.14 earnings per share. American Express’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.600-17.900 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.98 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 10th. Investors of record on Friday, October 9th will be paid a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.40%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup reduced their target price on American Express from $340.00 to $335.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 27th. Loop Capital cut their price objective on American Express from $389.00 to $386.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on American Express from $360.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 26th. Guggenheim initiated coverage on American Express in a report on Monday, July 13th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their target price on American Express from $396.00 to $405.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $365.22.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $328.17, for a total value of $22,925,956.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 9,002 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,954,186.34. The trade was a 88.59% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Anna Marrs sold 44,910 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $327.20, for a total transaction of $14,694,552.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 20,509 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,710,544.80. This represents a 68.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders sold 414,171 shares of company stock valued at $137,069,544. 0.14% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

American Express Profile

American Express Company is a global payments and financial services company that operates a card-issuing business and a payments network. Its products and services include consumer, small-business and corporate cards, payment processing, lending, travel services and expense-management solutions.

Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company expanded into financial services and became known for its charge cards and travel-related services. Today, it serves cardholders and businesses in the United States and markets around the world, connecting customers, merchants and financial institutions through its network.

Stephen J.