Private Advisory Group LLC Raises Holdings in American Express Company $AXP

Private Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 7.5% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 34,095 shares of the payment services company’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,385 shares during the period. Private Advisory Group LLC’s holdings in American Express were worth $11,325,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AXP. Trajan Wealth LLC boosted its position in American Express by 30.9% during the third quarter. Trajan Wealth LLC now owns 24,901 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $8,271,000 after purchasing an additional 5,881 shares in the last quarter. Transatlantique Private Wealth LLC raised its holdings in American Express by 3.1% in the third quarter. Transatlantique Private Wealth LLC now owns 5,974 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $1,984,000 after purchasing an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. Arbor Trust Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter. Arbor Trust Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,817 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $604,000 after buying an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of American Express by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 47,418 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $15,750,000 after buying an additional 352 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LaFleur & Godfrey LLC grew its position in shares of American Express by 17.3% in the 3rd quarter. LaFleur & Godfrey LLC now owns 42,369 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $14,073,000 after buying an additional 6,248 shares during the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Express News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo upgraded AXP to a Buy, providing fresh broker support that likely boosted investor confidence and buying interest. American Express (AXP) Receives a Buy from Wells Fargo
• Positive Sentiment: Analyses highlighting healthier January credit metrics and a valuation check have reduced near-term credit risk concerns and supported the stock’s earnings outlook. American Express (AXP) Valuation Check After Healthier January Credit Metrics
• Positive Sentiment: Commentary from independent outlets (Seeking Alpha, The Motley Fool) continues to frame AXP as a durable, long-term growth and dividend name, reinforcing bullish investor sentiment. American Express Outlook Remains Positive Despite Recent Volatility
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader analyst insight pieces discuss the financial sector generally and include AXP in comparative coverage—useful context but not an immediate catalyst by itself. Analysts Offer Insights on Financial Companies
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro market coverage (Dow weakness amid geopolitical tensions) is weighing on risk appetite broadly; this could limit upside for payment stocks even as company-specific news is positive. Stock Market Today: Dow Drops Amid U.S.-Iran Tensions; Warren Buffett Berkshire Holding Soars (Live Coverage)
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that American Express dropped specific board diversity criteria alongside other large firms have attracted negative ESG and reputational attention; this could draw activist scrutiny and pressure some institutional investors. American Express, Deere Drop Board Diversity Criteria as 78% Disclosure Rate Falls

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 8,134 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.73, for a total value of $2,820,301.82. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 9,433 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,270,704.09. The trade was a 46.30% 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 27,425 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.01, for a total transaction of $9,599,024.25. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 20,394 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,138,103.94. The trade was a 57.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 73,944 shares of company stock worth $26,114,366. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

American Express Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of AXP opened at $345.99 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $237.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.48, a PEG ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.14. American Express Company has a 52 week low of $220.43 and a 52 week high of $387.49. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $364.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $348.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.54 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.91 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.00% and a return on equity of 33.49%. The company’s revenue was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.04 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd were paid a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 2nd. American Express’s payout ratio is currently 21.31%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AXP has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $395.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of American Express from $385.00 to $375.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Evercore set a $393.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $395.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Express presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $352.73.

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.