American Express Company $AXP Stake Decreased by Strata Wealth Advisors LLC

Key Points

• Strata Wealth Advisors cut its American Express stake by 31.4% in the third quarter, selling 4,040 shares and retaining 8,821 shares valued at approximately $2.68 million.
• Institutional ownership remains substantial at 84.33%, with State Street and Bank of America increasing their positions while several other major institutions established new stakes.
• American Express reported quarterly EPS of $4.53, exceeding estimates, and maintained fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $17.30–$17.90. Analysts give the stock a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $365.63, although elevated expenses, valuation, and rising delinquencies remain risks.

Strata Wealth Advisors LLC cut its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 31.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,821 shares of the payment services company's stock after selling 4,040 shares during the period. American Express makes up 0.6% of Strata Wealth Advisors LLC's holdings, making the stock its 24th biggest holding. Strata Wealth Advisors LLC's holdings in American Express were worth $2,682,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in shares of American Express in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $14,208,662,000. State Street Corp increased its holdings in American Express by 40.2% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 40,967,262 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $13,857,176,000 after purchasing an additional 11,739,541 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in American Express by 8.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,969,555 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $2,695,702,000 after purchasing an additional 614,981 shares during the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LP acquired a new stake in American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $253,945,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in American Express in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,263,787,000. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about American Express

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 opened at $313.47 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $321.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of $325.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.55. American Express Company has a one year low of $290.97 and a one year high of $387.49. The firm has a market cap of $211.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.02, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.08.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 firm had revenue of $14.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $19.70 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $4.08 earnings per share. The business'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 research analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 17.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on AXP. Guggenheim initiated coverage on American Express in a research note on Monday, July 13th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. HSBC raised their price target on American Express from $312.00 to $329.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. TD Cowen dropped their price objective 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. UBS Group cut their price objective on American Express from $384.00 to $345.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 5th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price objective on American Express from $387.00 to $391.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $365.63.

About American Express

American Express Company is a global financial services company that provides payment, lending, travel and expense management products and services. Its offerings include consumer and small-business charge and credit cards, corporate payment programs, business financing solutions, deposit products and digital payment services.

The company operates an integrated payments network that connects card members, merchants and financial institutions. American Express also provides merchant acquisition and payment processing services, data and analytics, fraud prevention tools, and customer loyalty programs.

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