Principal Financial Group Inc. Sells 15,867 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Principal Financial Group Inc. trimmed its position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 1.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 802,190 shares of the payment services company’s stock after selling 15,867 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in American Express were worth $242,646,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of American Express by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,214 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $465,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Lantz Financial LLC boosted its holdings in American Express by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 808 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $299,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. Financial Management Network Inc. boosted its holdings in American Express by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Financial Management Network Inc. now owns 3,740 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $1,394,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. Central Bank & Trust Co. increased its stake in American Express by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co. now owns 2,620 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $969,000 after buying an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY increased its stake in American Express by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY now owns 1,400 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $518,000 after buying an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently commented on AXP shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on American Express from $425.00 to $415.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Bank of America increased their target price on American Express from $387.00 to $391.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Freedom Capital raised American Express from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. DZ Bank raised American Express from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $375.00 price target on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price target on American Express from $360.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $374.15.

American Express Trading Up 0.2%

AXP stock opened at $355.04 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $327.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $331.47. American Express Company has a fifty-two week low of $288.34 and a fifty-two week high of $387.49. The firm has a market cap of $242.26 billion, a PE ratio of 22.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.04. 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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.01 by $0.27. American Express had a net margin of 15.13% and a return on equity of 33.95%. The company had revenue of $14.21 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.64 earnings per share. American Express’s revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 17.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 2nd. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.71%.

American Express News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan upgraded American Express (AXP) to Overweight and raised its price target, signaling confidence in earnings durability and upside potential. American Express (AXP) Gets A JPMorgan Upgrade As Consumer Spending Concerns Build
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts said American Express’s affluent customer base is better insulated from geopolitical and economic stress than many peers, which may support spending and fee revenue. JPMorgan Believes American Express Can Ride Out Iran War Better Than Rivals – Says Affluent Customer Base ‘Relatively Shielded’ From Fallout
• Positive Sentiment: Evercore ISI raised its price target on AXP, adding to the bullish analyst momentum around the stock. Evercore ISI Raises PT on American Express Company (AXP) Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: American Express has been highlighted in multiple “stock to watch” and Buffett-focused pieces, which reflects investor interest but does not add new fundamentals. American Express Is Warren Buffett’s Second-Biggest Stock. Is It Still a Buy Near Highs?
• Neutral Sentiment: EDITON Hotels announced an American Express-sponsored event, which is brand-relevant but unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Meet Us in Montauk: EDITION Hotels Ushers in ‘The Summer EDITION’ Presented by American Express
• Negative Sentiment: Some commentary cautioned that AXP is trading near highs, suggesting upside could be more limited if spending growth slows or valuation becomes a bigger concern. American Express Is Warren Buffett’s Second-Biggest Stock. Is It Still a Buy Near Highs?

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.