Verity & Verity LLC Grows Stock Holdings in American Express Company $AXP

Verity & Verity LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 71.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 4,187 shares of the payment services company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,740 shares during the period. Verity & Verity LLC’s holdings in American Express were worth $1,549,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in AXP. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of American Express during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,464,215,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 27.0% during the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,970,416 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,310,515,000 after purchasing an additional 845,283 shares during the last quarter. Amundi increased its position in shares of American Express by 23.9% during the third quarter. Amundi now owns 2,787,580 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $925,449,000 after acquiring an additional 537,205 shares in the last quarter. Danske Bank A S bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the third quarter valued at approximately $153,292,000. Finally, PFA Pension Forsikringsaktieselskab bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $166,848,000. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

More American Express News

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express launched a new business card aimed at niche small and midsize businesses, including interior designers, which suggests continued product expansion and a push to deepen relationships with higher-value commercial customers. American Express Targets Niche SMEs With New Interior Designer Business Card
• Positive Sentiment: American Express cardmembers can now tap and ride on more transit systems across Canada, a small but constructive sign that the company is expanding everyday payment usage and improving card utility. American Express Cardmembers Can Now Tap and Ride on More Transit Systems Across Canada
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst and conference coverage highlighted American Express at Bernstein’s strategic decisions conference and followed up on its strong first-quarter results, reinforcing the view that fundamentals remain solid even as consumers face pressure. American Express Keeps Buy Rating After Stellar Q1, Despite Clouds Over Consumer Confidence
• Neutral Sentiment: Options-market activity has drawn attention, which can signal expectations for a meaningful move, but the article does not provide a clear fundamental catalyst by itself. Do Options Traders Know Something About American Express Stock We Don’t?
• Neutral Sentiment: Several items were mostly background or general-interest pieces about the company’s history, workforce, or Buffett ownership rather than immediate stock drivers. History of American Express: Company timeline & facts
• Negative Sentiment: There was no major negative company-specific news in the latest set, but broader commentary noted ongoing concerns about consumer confidence, which could temper enthusiasm if spending slows. American Express Keeps Buy Rating After Stellar Q1, Despite Clouds Over Consumer Confidence

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Freedom Capital raised shares of American Express from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 14th. Loop Capital assumed coverage on shares of American Express in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. They set a “buy” rating and a $389.00 price target for the company. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of American Express from $381.00 to $387.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 23rd. Finally, UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $395.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. One equities research 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 issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $359.05.

American Express Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of AXP stock opened at $316.55 on Friday. American Express Company has a 1 year low of $286.15 and a 1 year high of $387.49. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $312.81 and a 200-day moving average price of $338.90. The company has a market cap of $215.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.75, a PEG ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.56.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.01 by $0.27. American Express had a return on equity of 33.95% and a net margin of 15.13%.The company had revenue of $14.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.60 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.64 EPS. American Express’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that American Express Company will post 17.59 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Increases Dividend

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

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.