Procyon Advisors LLC increased its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 356.0% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 28,297 shares of the payment services company’s stock after buying an additional 22,092 shares during the period. Procyon Advisors LLC’s holdings in American Express were worth $10,468,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. raised its holdings in American Express by 153.3% during the 3rd quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 76 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express during the third quarter worth $27,000. Guerra Advisors Inc bought a new position in American Express during the third quarter worth $28,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC acquired a new position in American Express in the third quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in American Express by 210.7% in the third quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 59 shares during the period. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Key American Express News
Here are the key news stories impacting American Express this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Company raised its quarterly dividend by ~16% and is pushing digital initiatives and partnerships that expand premium customer perks and corporate product integrations — supports recurring revenue and shareholder returns. How Amex’s Dividend Hike And Digital Push At American Express (AXP) Has Changed Its Investment Story
- Positive Sentiment: AmEx expanded its corporate product by adding virtual card features for SAP Concur clients — a sales motion that can increase fee revenue and stickiness in corporate spend. Amex soups up cards for Concur
- Positive Sentiment: Market commentators (Barron’s, The Motley Fool) argue the pullback creates a buying opportunity for long-term investors, citing AmEx’s premium brand, strong returns on equity, and Berkshire Hathaway support — helps buoy contrarian demand. Visa, Mastercard and American Express Have Gotten Roughed Up. The Case for Buying the Dip.
- Neutral Sentiment: Analysis pieces consider AXP among top financial stocks to own if rates become volatile due to geopolitical risk (Iran)—this frames AXP as resilient but is macro-dependent. Is American Express (AXP) The Best Financial Stock to Buy Amid Potential Interest Rate Volatility Coming Due to Iran War
- Neutral Sentiment: Industry/tech news (BrightQuery joining FINOS) and an unrelated insurer earnings release were picked up in feeds but have no direct, material impact on AmEx fundamentals. BrightQuery Becomes Gold Member of FINOS, the Fintech Open Source Foundation, and Joins Governing Board
- Negative Sentiment: Governance pressure: the National Legal and Policy Center and anti‑DEI activists have successfully pushed some companies (including calls at firms like AmEx) to remove DEI from board selection processes — heightens regulatory/shareholder friction and could create headline risk. After notable victories, anti-DEI shareholders turn sights on Trump’s SEC
- Negative Sentiment: Market reaction pieces note recent share weakness and larger-than-market declines in recent sessions — short-term sentiment and positioning (profit-taking, lower multiple) have pressured the stock. Here’s Why American Express (AXP) Fell More Than Broader Market
American Express Trading Down 0.1%
American Express (NYSE:AXP – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.54 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.91 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.00% and a return on equity of 33.49%. American Express’s revenue was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.04 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.
American Express Increases Dividend
The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 3rd will be issued a $0.95 dividend. This is a boost from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 2nd. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is 21.31%.
Insider Buying and Selling
In other American Express news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 8,134 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $346.73, for a total transaction of $2,820,301.82. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 9,433 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,270,704.09. This trade represents a 46.30% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.91, for a total transaction of $8,346,340.35. Following the transaction, the insider owned 7,754 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,767,480.14. This trade represents a 75.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 73,944 shares of company stock worth $26,114,366 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
AXP has been the subject of several research analyst reports. TD Cowen reissued a “hold” rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. BTIG Research cut their target price on American Express from $328.00 to $285.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on American Express from $385.00 to $375.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Morgan Stanley set a $395.00 price target on American Express in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Evercore set a $393.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Express presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $354.86.
View Our Latest Research Report on AXP
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.
Further Reading
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