American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) Short Interest Up 14.3% in February

Key Points

• Short interest rose 14.3% in February to 9,850,572 shares (about 1.4% of shares), leaving a short‑interest ratio of 2.1 days — a noticeable increase in bearish positioning.
• Market signals are mixed: some analysts call AXP a dip‑buy citing resilient card spending and member growth, but BTIG’s downgrade to a $285 target and a large spike in put buying suggest elevated short‑term downside risk while the stock trades near $300 versus its 50/200‑day averages around $342/$349.
• Corporate fundamentals: AmEx raised its quarterly dividend to $0.95 (annualized $3.80, ~1.3% yield) and set FY2026 EPS guidance of $17.30–$17.90, even as insiders sold roughly 73,944 shares (~$26.1M) over the past three months.

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) saw a significant growth in short interest in February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 9,850,572 shares, a growth of 14.3% from the February 12th total of 8,616,704 shares. Currently, 1.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 4,723,051 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 4,723,051 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days. Currently, 1.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

American Express News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts / investors calling AXP a dip-buy — coverage highlighting resilient card spending, continued member growth and long‑run EPS targets, supporting a view that current weakness is a buying opportunity. American Express Is An Attractive Dip Buy As Growth Continues
• Positive Sentiment: Card member benefits expansion in New York/New Jersey and Atlanta could support engagement and spend per card, a tactical positive for revenue and loyalty. American Express Company (AXP) Expands Card Member Benefits in NY/NJ and Atlanta
• Positive Sentiment: Credit metrics described as stable in recent company updates and by research outlets, which reduces near‑term credit risk concerns tied to card portfolios. American Express Reports Stable Credit Metrics Amid Modest Decline
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation debate continues — AXP trades above industry multiples but remains near its historical median, so upside depends on continued earnings growth justifying the premium. Is American Express a Buy Now Despite its Premium Valuation?
• Neutral Sentiment: Several media pieces revisit AXP’s long‑term wealth-creation case and recent share decline in 2026; these are more narrative than catalytic but shape sentiment. Is American Express Stock a Millionaire Maker?
• Negative Sentiment: BTIG cut its price target to $285 and moved to a sell rating, adding a new bearish voice that can pressure sentiment given BTIG’s distribution. Benzinga Report on BTIG Downgrade
• Negative Sentiment: Unusual options activity: a large spike in put buying (43,272 puts) signals some traders are hedging or betting on further downside, raising short‑term volatility risk.
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive pressure: Robinhood’s upcoming platinum credit card rollout is being discussed as a potential long‑term competitive threat to card share and growth. Did Robinhood Just Say "Checkmate" to American Express?

American Express Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of AXP traded up $1.96 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $300.16. The stock had a trading volume of 3,614,858 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,719,295. The stock's 50 day moving average is $342.37 and its 200 day moving average is $348.92. The firm has a market cap of $206.09 billion, a PE ratio of 19.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.58. American Express has a 1 year low of $220.43 and a 1 year high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.54 by ($0.01). American Express had a return on equity of 33.49% and a net margin of 15.00%.The firm had revenue of ($17,139.00) million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.91 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.04 earnings per share. American Express's revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that American Express will post 15.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared 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. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 2nd. This is a positive change from American Express's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. American Express's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.31%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, December 8th. They set a "peer perform" rating on the stock. TD Cowen restated a "hold" rating on shares of American Express in a report on Thursday, January 8th. BTIG Research lowered their price target on shares of American Express from $328.00 to $285.00 and set a "sell" rating for the company in a report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on American Express from $385.00 to $375.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $395.00 price objective on American Express in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $354.86.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In other news, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.01, for a total transaction of $9,599,024.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 20,394 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,138,103.94. This represents a 57.35% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Ravikumar Radhakrishnan sold 15,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.58, for a total transaction of $5,348,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 8,945 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,189,608.10. This trade represents a 62.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Express

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AXP. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. lifted 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 valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in American Express by 6,600.0% in the 4th quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 67 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of American Express during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Sfam LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Express during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Manning & Napier Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Institutional investors own 84.33% of the company's stock.

About American Express

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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