American Express Company $AXP Stock: Alps Advisors Inc. Grows Holdings

Key Points

• Alps Advisors increased its American Express stake by 44.2% in the third quarter, adding 4,522 shares to reach 14,744 shares valued at about $4.48 million.
• American Express reported quarterly EPS of $4.68, above analysts’ $4.50 estimate, while revenue of $20.06 billion fell slightly short of expectations; revenue rose 8.9% year over year.
• Company insiders sold 414,171 shares over three months, worth approximately $137.1 million, including substantial sales by CEO Stephen Squeri and Laureen Seeger.

Alps Advisors Inc. grew its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 44.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 14,744 shares of the payment services company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,522 shares during the quarter. Alps Advisors Inc.'s holdings in American Express were worth $4,484,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Archer Investment Corp acquired a new stake in American Express during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in American Express by 78.8% in the 3rd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 93 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. John Boyer Inc. acquired a new position in American Express in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC grew its holdings in American Express by 58.3% in the 2nd quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 95 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Frazier Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in American Express during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting 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%

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $328.17, for a total transaction of $22,925,956.20. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 9,002 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,954,186.34. This trade represents a 88.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Stephen Squeri sold 299,401 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $332.16, for a total transaction of $99,449,036.16. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 60,567 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,117,934.72. This represents a 83.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 414,171 shares of company stock valued at $137,069,544. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:AXP opened at $321.02 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 1.58. American Express Company has a 1 year low of $290.97 and a 1 year high of $387.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $215.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.09. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $316.22 and its 200 day simple moving average is $325.65.

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

American Express Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. American Express's dividend payout ratio is presently 21.40%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on American Express from $396.00 to $405.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of American Express from $345.00 to $346.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, November 2nd. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of American Express from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research note on Monday, October 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, October 26th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of American Express from $340.00 to $335.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Express presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $365.22.

About American Express

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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