American Express Company $AXP Stock: Searle & CO. Cuts Stake

Searle & CO. decreased its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 4.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 39,714 shares of the payment services company’s stock after selling 2,000 shares during the quarter. American Express makes up about 2.8% of Searle & CO.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest position. Searle & CO.’s holdings in American Express were worth $12,077,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AXP. Narwhal Capital Management boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 11.9% in the 3rd quarter. Narwhal Capital Management now owns 63,144 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $19,202,000 after acquiring an additional 6,729 shares in the last quarter. Gen Wealth Partners Inc grew its position in American Express by 7.1% during the 3rd quarter. Gen Wealth Partners Inc now owns 8,449 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $2,569,000 after acquiring an additional 562 shares during the last quarter. Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc. grew its position in American Express by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 16,830 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $5,118,000 after acquiring an additional 705 shares during the last quarter. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. increased its holdings in American Express by 15.8% during the 3rd quarter. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. now owns 663,655 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $201,817,000 after purchasing an additional 90,487 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gryphon Financial Partners LLC increased its holdings in American Express by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. Gryphon Financial Partners LLC now owns 2,850 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $867,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Stephen Squeri sold 299,401 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $332.16, for a total value of $99,449,036.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 60,567 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $20,117,934.72. This represents a 83.17% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $328.17, for a total value of $22,925,956.20. Following the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 414,171 shares of company stock worth $137,069,544 over the last quarter. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

American Express Trading Down 0.2%

NYSE:AXP opened at $323.67 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. American Express Company has a 1-year low of $290.97 and a 1-year high of $387.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $217.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.22, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.09. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $315.90 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $325.25.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.50 by $0.18. American Express had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 34.19%. The company had revenue of $20.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.12 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.14 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.600-17.900 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect 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 was paid on Tuesday, November 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 9th were issued a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 9th. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is 21.40%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on American Express from $396.00 to $405.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Evercore set a $330.00 target price on American Express in a research note on Tuesday, October 27th. Barclays cut their price target on American Express from $342.00 to $340.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on American Express from $360.00 to $365.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, October 26th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $370.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Express currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $365.22.

More American Express News

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express and Fanatics launched a co-branded card aimed at sports fans, connecting Membership Rewards points with Fanatics FanCash and offering sports-related experiences and merchandise benefits. The partnership could deepen customer engagement and broaden AXP’s reach; its contribution to revenue and profits is not yet clear. Article: American Express unveils sports rewards card tied to fan loyalty
• Positive Sentiment: American Express Canada and Marriott Bonvoy are adding a no-annual-fee card, scheduled to launch in February 2027, and enhancing existing co-branded cards with complimentary Gold Elite status. The expanded lineup may help attract and retain cardholders, although the new product is a future launch. Article: American Express and Marriott Bonvoy expand Canadian card portfolio
• Neutral Sentiment: American Express rose 28 places to No. 42 on the Roundtable 100. The improved ranking is favorable brand recognition, but the article does not identify a direct near-term financial impact. Article: American Express jumps 28 places on the Roundtable 100
• Negative Sentiment: Analysis notes that growth in premium-card fees could be offset by rising rewards, benefits and marketing expenses. The concern is whether AXP can turn premium-card momentum into stronger profits. Article: Can American Express turn premium card growth into higher profits?

About American Express

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.