American Express Company $AXP Stock: Waycross Partners LLC Trims Position

Key Points

• Waycross Partners cut its American Express stake by 96% in the third quarter, selling 30,759 shares and ending the period with 1,285 shares worth about $391,000.
• Company insiders also reported substantial sales: CEO Stephen Squeri sold 299,401 shares, while Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares; combined insider sales over three months totaled 414,171 shares.
• American Express beat quarterly EPS estimates, reporting $4.68 per share versus $4.50 expected, while revenue grew 8.9% year over year but fell slightly short of forecasts. Analysts’ consensus rating was “Moderate Buy,” with a $365.22 target price.

Waycross Partners LLC decreased its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 96.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,285 shares of the payment services company's stock after selling 30,759 shares during the quarter. Waycross Partners LLC's holdings in American Express were worth $391,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Archer Investment Corp purchased a new position in shares of American Express during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 78.8% in the third quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 93 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the period. John Boyer Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC increased its position 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. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased 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 during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the insider directly owned 9,002 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,954,186.34. This represents a 88.59% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Stephen Squeri sold 299,401 shares of the 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 transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 60,567 shares of the company's stock, valued at $20,117,934.72. The trade was a 83.17% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders have sold 414,171 shares of company stock valued at $137,069,544. Company insiders own 0.14% of the company's stock.

American Express Trading Down 1.2%

Shares of NYSE AXP traded down $3.95 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $321.02. 2,932,179 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,071,100. The company's 50-day moving average is $316.22 and its 200-day moving average is $325.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a current ratio of 1.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $215.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.08, a PEG ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.09. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $290.97 and a 52-week 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 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.50 by $0.18. American Express had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 34.19%. The firm had revenue of $20.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.12 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $4.14 EPS. American Express's revenue was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.600-17.900 EPS. Analysts expect that American Express Company will post 17.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The business 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 of this dividend is Friday, October 9th. American Express's payout ratio is 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%

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Loop Capital reduced their target price on shares of American Express from $389.00 to $386.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 27th. President Capital increased their price target on shares of American Express from $359.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. Guggenheim began coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, July 13th. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $370.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of 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 equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, American Express has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $365.22.

American Express 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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