Swedbank AB Cuts Stake in American Express Company $AXP

Swedbank AB cut its holdings in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 1.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 360,104 shares of the payment services company’s stock after selling 4,880 shares during the quarter. Swedbank AB’s holdings in American Express were worth $133,220,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp lifted its holdings in American Express by 10.0% during the third quarter. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp now owns 308 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $105,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in American Express by 2.4% during the fourth quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,214 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $465,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Lantz Financial LLC lifted its holdings in American Express by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 808 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $299,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Financial Management Network Inc. lifted its holdings in American Express by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Financial Management Network Inc. now owns 3,740 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,394,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Central Bank & Trust Co. lifted its holdings in American Express by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co. now owns 2,620 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $969,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts highlighted American Express’s resilient premium spending, strong earnings growth, and expanding lifestyle ecosystem as reasons it may have more upside than PayPal. American Express vs. PayPal: Which Fintech Stock Has More Upside?
• Positive Sentiment: American Express expanded its sports-commerce strategy through a Fanatics tie-up, adding a co-branded card and rewards integration that could support card usage and customer engagement. AmEx Expands Sports Commerce Strategy With Fanatics Tie-Up
• Positive Sentiment: American Express was also mentioned as one of Warren Buffett’s long-term “forever” holdings, reinforcing investor confidence in the company’s durable business model and cash-generating ability. Warren Buffett’s favorite stocks to buy and hold forever
• Neutral Sentiment: Other articles simply reiterated American Express’s status as a Buffett-backed dividend and quality financial stock, which supports the investment case but does not represent a new catalyst. 2 Warren Buffett Stocks That Pay You a Passive Income
• Neutral Sentiment: A broader market piece said weakness in American Express is drawing attention to S&P 500 value stocks, which is more of a commentary on relative valuation than a direct negative company-specific development. American Express Weakness Puts S&P 500 Value In Focus
• Neutral Sentiment: Promotional news about new Hilton and Marriott card offers may support future card sign-ups, but it appears to be routine marketing rather than a major earnings-moving event. New Hilton and Marriott credit card offers — earn up to 175,000 points

American Express Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of American Express stock opened at $311.98 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $212.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.08. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $311.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $340.69. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $281.46 and a 52-week high of $387.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 1.57.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.01 by $0.27. The business had revenue of $14.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.60 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.13% and a return on equity of 33.95%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.64 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.59 EPS for the current year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 3rd were given a dividend of $0.95 per share. This is an increase from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 2nd. American Express’s payout ratio is 23.71%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Freedom Capital raised shares of American Express from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th. Loop Capital began coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Thursday. They issued a “buy” rating and a $389.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $325.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of American Express from $395.00 to $385.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $359.05.

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.