American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) Given Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• American Express carries a “Moderate Buy” consensus from 24 analysts, with 11 buy ratings, 11 holds, one sell and one strong buy. The average 12-month price target is approximately $372.95.
• The company beat second-quarter EPS expectations, reporting $4.53 versus $4.41 forecast, while revenue rose 10% year over year and full-year guidance was increased. Analysts cited its premium customer base, resilient spending and competitive payments position as growth supports.
• AXP shares opened at $337.50, near their moving averages, while BTIG reduced its price target to $315. American Express also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.95, equivalent to a 1.1% annualized yield.

Shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) have earned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the twenty-four ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $372.9474.

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on AXP shares. Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, July 13th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Evercore set a $370.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday. Freedom Capital upgraded shares of American Express from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Piper Sandler downgraded shares of American Express from an "overweight" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, July 13th.

American Express News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Strong earnings and guidance support sentiment: American Express exceeded second-quarter EPS expectations, with earnings of $4.53 versus the $4.41 consensus estimate. Revenue increased 10% year over year, and the company raised its full-year revenue outlook, reinforcing expectations for continued growth. Jim Cramer says this post-earnings sell-off is a golden buying opportunity
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and investors see a buying opportunity: Jim Cramer characterized the recent post-earnings weakness as an opportunity, while other coverage highlights AmEx’s premium customer base, spending resilience and long-term growth potential. Jim Cramer says American Express post-earnings sell-off is a buying opportunity
• Positive Sentiment: Durable competitive advantages remain a key thesis: Articles point to AmEx’s ability to attract and retain card members across generations, its premium lending model and its “moat” in payments—factors that could support pricing power, customer spending and recurring fee revenue. Does This Top Warren Buffett Stock Have the Widest Moat in Payments?
• Positive Sentiment: Strategic partnerships and technology add growth opportunities: AmEx’s long-running Delta partnership generates significant revenue for the airline, while American Express Global Business Travel launched an AI connector allowing Claude users to book and manage compliant corporate travel. These initiatives could deepen customer engagement and expand travel-related volume. Amex GBT Empowers Claude to Book Corporate Travel
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry results provide a mixed read-through: Mastercard’s strong cross-border volume and services growth suggest healthy payments demand, although Mastercard’s performance does not directly change American Express’s results. Mastercard Beats Q2 Earnings on Solid Cross-Border Volume Growth
• Negative Sentiment: BTIG lowered its American Express price target to $315: The target reduction may weigh on sentiment and signals that valuation or near-term risks remain concerns, even though the target still reflects the firm’s updated view rather than a change to the company’s operating results. BTIG Research Lowers American Express Price Target to $315.00

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Express

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in shares of American Express by 6,600.0% in the fourth quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 67 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Joseph Group Capital Management acquired a new position in American Express in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Sfam LLC bought a new stake in American Express during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in American Express during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC acquired a new stake in American Express during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Institutional investors own 84.33% of the company's stock.

American Express Stock Performance

NYSE:AXP opened at $337.50 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $227.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.48, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.04. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $334.47 and a 200 day simple moving average of $328.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66. American Express has a 1-year low of $288.34 and a 1-year high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.41 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $14.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.70 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 34.12% and a net margin of 15.07%.The company's revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.08 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that American Express will post 17.67 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be paid a $0.95 dividend. 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 payout ratio is 23.06%.

American Express Company 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.

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