American Express Company $AXP Stock Position Increased by Ascent Group LLC

Key Points

• Ascent Group increased its American Express stake by 11.7% in the third quarter, adding 3,538 shares to hold 33,659 shares valued at about $10.2 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company’s stock.
• American Express reported quarterly EPS of $4.68, beating estimates of $4.50, while revenue of $20.06 billion came in slightly below expectations; revenue rose 8.9% year over year. The company’s FY 2026 EPS guidance is $17.60–$17.90.
• Analysts’ consensus rating is “Moderate Buy”, with an average price target of $365.22. Amex also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.95 per share, equivalent to a 1.1% yield.

Ascent Group LLC boosted its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 11.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 33,659 shares of the payment services company's stock after buying an additional 3,538 shares during the period. Ascent Group LLC's holdings in American Express were worth $10,236,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Caldwell Trust Co grew its stake in shares of American Express by 6.2% in the 3rd quarter. Caldwell Trust Co now owns 19,781 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $6,015,000 after purchasing an additional 1,150 shares during the last quarter. Signet Investment Advisory Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 0.6% during the third quarter. Signet Investment Advisory Group Inc. now owns 7,622 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $2,318,000 after buying an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Compass Financial Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 32.9% during the third quarter. Compass Financial Management LLC now owns 1,879 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $571,000 after buying an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. AIA Group Ltd raised its position in American Express by 20.0% during the third quarter. AIA Group Ltd now owns 23,443 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $7,129,000 after buying an additional 3,913 shares during the period. Finally, Third View Private Wealth LLC raised its position in American Express by 2.5% during the third quarter. Third View Private Wealth LLC now owns 2,618 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $796,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company's stock.

American Express Stock Up 2.2%

Shares of American Express stock opened at $332.78 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $223.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.09. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $316.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $326.01. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $290.97 and a 52-week high of $387.49. 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 (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last posted 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. The firm had revenue of $20.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $20.12 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 34.19%. The company's revenue was up 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $4.14 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.600-17.900 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that American Express Company will post 17.88 earnings per share 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. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. American Express's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.40%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on AXP shares. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on American Express from $382.00 to $380.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 12th. President Capital upped their target price on American Express from $359.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. BTIG Research reduced their price target on shares of American Express from $315.00 to $230.00 and set a "sell" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, September 7th. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of American Express in a research report on Thursday, October 8th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $380.00 price target for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $365.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, October 26th. One equities research 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 assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $365.22.

Key Stories Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: UBS raised its price target on AXP, offering a modest vote of confidence. Article: American Express Stock Gets Price Target Boost from UBS Group
• Positive Sentiment: American Express’s partnership with Airbnb brings more than one million listings, including Airbnb Luxe, to Amex Travel for eligible U.S. cardmembers. The added travel inventory and rewards offers could support card engagement and spending. Article: Airbnb Stock In Focus After Amex Deal And Q3 Results Preview
• Positive Sentiment: Amex expanded its NBA, WNBA and USA Basketball partnerships internationally, adding cardmember experiences and offers that may help strengthen customer loyalty. Article: American Express Brings Global Basketball Perks To Card Holders Worldwide
• Neutral Sentiment: Amex is presenting an exclusive Equinox wellness event for eligible cardmembers, another premium-card benefit, though the announcement gives no expected financial impact. Article: Equinox Announces House of Equinox
• Negative Sentiment: Bill Ackman said American Express should be concerned about Ramp, a fast-growing fintech competitor. The article also cites analysts’ expectations for continued double-digit EPS growth, but competition is a risk to monitor. Article: American Express Draws Bill Ackman's Warning
• Negative Sentiment: Two insiders made substantial share sales on November 2. Anna Marrs sold 44,910 shares, reducing her holdings by 68.65%, while Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares, cutting hers by 88.59%. Sales do not necessarily indicate a negative outlook, but may weigh on sentiment. Anna Marrs SEC filing Laureen Seeger SEC filing

Insider Buying and Selling at American Express

In related news, insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares of American Express stock in a transaction 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 completion of the sale, the insider owned 9,002 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,954,186.34. The trade was a 88.59% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Anna Marrs sold 44,910 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $327.20, for a total transaction of $14,694,552.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 20,509 shares in the company, valued at $6,710,544.80. The trade was a 68.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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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