American Express Company $AXP Shares Bought by CenterBook Partners LP

Key Points

• CenterBook Partners nearly doubled its American Express stake in the third quarter, increasing its holdings 99.5% to 6,736 shares valued at about $2.05 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 84.33% of AXP shares.
• Company insiders reported substantial stock sales: CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 299,401 shares and insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares; insiders sold 414,171 shares worth about $137.1 million over the past 90 days.
• American Express beat quarterly EPS expectations with $4.68 per share versus $4.50 expected, while revenue rose 8.9% year over year to $20.06 billion. Analysts’ average rating was “Moderate Buy,” with a consensus price target of $365.22.

CenterBook Partners LP raised its position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 99.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,736 shares of the payment services company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,360 shares during the quarter. CenterBook Partners LP's holdings in American Express were worth $2,048,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AXP. Asset One Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in American Express during the 3rd quarter valued at about $258,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in American Express by 25.7% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 5,727 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $1,730,000 after acquiring an additional 1,170 shares in the last quarter. Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co. grew its position in American Express by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co. now owns 7,570 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $2,302,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Alta Advisers Ltd grew its position in American Express by 79.4% in the 3rd quarter. Alta Advisers Ltd now owns 3,772 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $1,147,000 after acquiring an additional 1,670 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in American Express by 21.3% during the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,139 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $346,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In related news, insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $328.17, for a total value of $22,925,956.20. Following the sale, the insider owned 9,002 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,954,186.34. This trade represents a 88.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 299,401 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $332.16, for a total transaction of $99,449,036.16. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 60,567 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,117,934.72. This trade represents a 83.17% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 414,171 shares of company stock valued at $137,069,544. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Trending Headlines about American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express has reduced its share count by 27% since 2016, while diluted earnings per share increased 352% from Q3 2016 to the latest quarter. The article credits its premium brand and network advantages—long-term strengths that have helped shareholders, rather than a new near-term development. Article: American Express Has Cut Its Share Count by 27% Since 2016
• Positive Sentiment: ETFs recorded $41.8 million in net purchases of AXP shares on Nov. 4, providing a modest signal of institutional demand. Article: American Express Sees $41.8 Million in Net ETF Buying
• Negative Sentiment: A report says American Express insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares. Insider sales can weigh on sentiment, although the provided report does not give context for the transaction. Article: Insider Laureen Seeger Sells 69,860 Shares
• Negative Sentiment: AXP also had a notable decline in the prior session, but the cited coverage does not specify what drove the move. This recent weakness may be weighing on near-term sentiment. Article: American Express Drops 3.5%

American Express Trading Up 0.0%

NYSE:AXP opened at $321.02 on Monday. American Express Company has a 12-month low of $290.97 and a 12-month high of $387.49. The firm has a market cap of $215.26 billion, a PE ratio of 18.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $316.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $325.65.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.50 by $0.18. American Express had a return on equity of 34.19% and a net margin of 15.80%. The company had revenue of $20.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.14 EPS. American Express's revenue was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.600-17.900 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 17.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be paid a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. American Express's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.40%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on AXP. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of American Express from $382.00 to $380.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 12th. President Capital raised their price objective on shares of American Express from $359.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. BTIG Research dropped their price objective on shares of American Express from $315.00 to $230.00 and set a "sell" rating for the company in a report on Monday, September 7th. Benchmark assumed coverage on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, July 13th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Finally, Guggenheim began coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, July 13th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $365.22.

American Express Profile

American Express Company is a global payments and financial services company that operates a card-issuing business and a payments network. Its products and services include consumer, small-business and corporate cards, payment processing, lending, travel services and expense-management solutions.

Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company expanded into financial services and became known for its charge cards and travel-related services. Today, it serves cardholders and businesses in the United States and markets around the world, connecting customers, merchants and financial institutions through its network.

Stephen J.

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