World Investment Advisors Boosts Stake in American Express Company $AXP

World Investment Advisors grew its position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 18.9% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 8,626 shares of the payment services company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,373 shares during the quarter. World Investment Advisors’ holdings in American Express were worth $2,865,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its position in American Express by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,267,377 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $721,525,000 after purchasing an additional 49,593 shares in the last quarter. Dempze Nancy E increased its stake in shares of American Express by 210.2% during the second quarter. Dempze Nancy E now owns 3,459 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $1,103,000 after buying an additional 2,344 shares during the period. Reliant Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in American Express by 1.9% in the second quarter. Reliant Investment Management LLC now owns 26,189 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $8,354,000 after acquiring an additional 480 shares in the last quarter. SLT Holdings LLC lifted its stake in American Express by 31.3% in the second quarter. SLT Holdings LLC now owns 1,008 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $322,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New York Life Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in American Express by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 82,883 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $26,438,000 after acquiring an additional 764 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at American Express

In other news, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total value of $894,359.15. Following the transaction, the insider owned 2,515 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $894,359.15. The trade was a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total value of $18,010,500.00. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer owned 85,577 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $30,825,691.17. This trade represents a 36.88% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 57,515 shares of company stock worth $20,658,509 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of American Express in a report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of American Express from $343.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, December 8th. They set a “peer perform” rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of American Express from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, November 9th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Express currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $335.55.

American Express Stock Down 0.5%

AXP stock opened at $381.02 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $365.19 and a 200 day moving average price of $333.90. American Express Company has a 12 month low of $220.43 and a 12 month high of $387.49. The company has a market cap of $262.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.59.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported ($11.85) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of ($17,139.00) million for the quarter. American Express had a return on equity of 33.41% and a net margin of 14.97%. Sell-side analysts expect that American Express Company will post 15.33 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, February 10th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.82 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.01%.

About American Express

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.