American Express Company $AXP Shares Purchased by Howard Capital Management LLC

Key Points

• Howard Capital Management increased its American Express stake by 216% in the third quarter, acquiring 8,055 additional shares for a total of 11,784 shares valued at $3.584 million. Institutional investors collectively own 84.33% of AXP.
• American Express reported quarterly EPS of $4.53, exceeding estimates, while revenue rose 10% year over year. Management maintained 2026 EPS guidance of $17.30–$17.90, supported by strong consumer spending and interest income, though higher expenses and credit risks remain concerns.
• AXP recently traded near $313.47 and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.95 per share, representing a 1.2% yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating with an average price target of $365.63, although several firms recently lowered their targets.

Howard Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 216.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 11,784 shares of the payment services company's stock after acquiring an additional 8,055 shares during the quarter. Howard Capital Management LLC's holdings in American Express were worth $3,584,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Archer Investment Corp acquired a new stake in shares of American Express in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in American Express by 78.8% during the third quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 93 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in American Express by 66.7% during the first quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 100 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in American Express by 58.2% during the first quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 106 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC boosted its position in American Express by 2,550.0% during the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 106 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company's stock.

American Express News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Strong consumer spending—particularly among affluent customers—continues to support American Express’s payment volumes and earnings outlook. Analysts also point to Wall Street wealth effects as a potential tailwind for discretionary spending. 3 Stocks to Watch as Wall Street Wealth Fuels Consumer Spending
• Positive Sentiment: American Express is expected to benefit from rising interest income, with consensus estimates calling for year-over-year earnings growth in the upcoming quarterly report. The company’s full-year 2026 EPS guidance remains $17.30 to $17.90. Will Rising Expenses Affect American Express’ Q3 Earnings?
• Positive Sentiment: The Rakuten American Express Card received a limited-edition NARUTO SHIPPUDEN design, helping refresh the card’s marketing appeal while retaining its existing cash-back rewards and benefits. Rakuten Introduces Limited Edition NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Credit Card Design
• Neutral Sentiment: American Express is developing AI-powered payment security for purchases initiated by autonomous shopping agents. The technology could support future transaction growth, but its financial impact is not yet clear. Can American Express Turn AI Commerce Into a New Growth Driver?
• Negative Sentiment: Higher operating expenses are expected to pressure margins and may offset some of the benefit from stronger spending and interest income. Zacks also indicates that AXP lacks the typical combination of factors supporting a likely earnings beat, increasing pre-earnings uncertainty. American Express Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?
• Negative Sentiment: Despite its favorable growth profile, American Express trades at a premium valuation, leaving less room for disappointment if quarterly revenue, expenses, or guidance fall short of expectations. Rising credit-card delinquencies are an additional sector risk.

American Express Trading Down 0.1%

NYSE:AXP traded down $0.40 on Friday, reaching $313.47. The stock had a trading volume of 3,387,759 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,438,562. The company has a market cap of $211.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.54. The firm's fifty day moving average is $321.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $325.29. American Express Company has a 12-month low of $290.97 and a 12-month high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.41 by $0.12. American Express had a net margin of 15.07% and a return on equity of 34.12%. The business had revenue of $14.99 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.70 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.08 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Equities analysts expect that American Express Company will post 17.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 10th. Investors of record on Friday, October 9th will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. American Express's dividend payout ratio is 23.06%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays lowered their target price on American Express from $364.00 to $342.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 5th. TD Cowen cut their price target on American Express from $338.00 to $335.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Evercore set a $320.00 price target on American Express in a research note on Thursday, October 1st. Benchmark started coverage on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, July 13th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of American Express from $355.00 to $340.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $365.63.

American Express Company Profile

American Express Company NYSE: AXP is a global financial services company that provides payment, lending, travel and related products to consumers, small businesses and corporate customers. Its offerings include consumer and business charge and credit cards, payment solutions, commercial financing, deposit products and rewards programs.

American Express also operates a worldwide merchant network and provides businesses with payment acceptance services, transaction-processing capabilities and data-driven marketing solutions.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report).

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.