American Express Company $AXP Stock Sold by Candriam S.C.A.

Key Points

• Candriam S.C.A. cut its American Express stake by 45.4%, selling 57,609 shares in the third quarter; it retained 69,190 shares valued at about $21.1 million.
• Analysts’ consensus rating is “Moderate Buy,” with an average price target of $365.22. Ratings include 18 Buy or Strong Buy, 13 Hold and one Sell.
• American Express reported quarterly EPS of $4.68, beating estimates of $4.50, while revenue of $20.06 billion came in slightly below forecasts. It announced a quarterly dividend of $0.95 per share.

Candriam S.C.A. lessened its position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 45.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 69,190 shares of the payment services company's stock after selling 57,609 shares during the period. Candriam S.C.A.'s holdings in American Express were worth $21,118,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of American Express during the 2nd quarter worth about $14,208,662,000. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in American Express by 40.2% during 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 boosted its position in American Express by 8.4% in the second 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 buying an additional 614,981 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LP acquired a new position in American Express in the second quarter valued at about $253,945,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in American Express in the second quarter valued at about $1,263,787,000. Institutional investors own 84.33% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have weighed in on AXP shares. Weiss Ratings raised shares of American Express from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research note on Monday, October 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on shares of American Express from $415.00 to $400.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 9th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a "hold" rating and issued a $330.00 target price on shares of American Express in a report on Friday, October 23rd. Guggenheim started coverage on American Express in a research report on Monday, July 13th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price target on American Express from $340.00 to $335.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, American Express presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $365.22.

American Express Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE AXP opened at $321.02 on Monday. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $316.22 and its 200 day simple moving average is $325.65. The company has a market cap 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 has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. 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 data on Friday, October 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.68 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.50 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $20.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.14 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.600-17.900 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that American Express Company will post 17.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. 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%.

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%

Insider Transactions at American Express

In related news, insider Anna Marrs sold 44,910 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $327.20, for a total value of $14,694,552.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 20,509 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,710,544.80. This trade represents a 68.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 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 of the company's stock, valued at approximately $20,117,934.72. This represents a 83.17% decrease in their position. 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 worth $137,069,544. Corporate insiders own 0.14% of the company's stock.

American Express Company 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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