Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors LLC Invests $4.79 Million in American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors initiated a $4.79 million American Express stake, purchasing 14,154 shares in the second quarter. Institutional investors collectively own 84.33% of AXP.
• American Express reported quarterly earnings of $4.53 per share, exceeding analyst estimates, while revenue rose 10% year over year to $19.64 billion. The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $17.30–$17.90.
• Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus, with an average price target of $373.32 versus the stock’s cited price of $339.90; American Express also pays a quarterly dividend of $0.95 per share.

Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 14,154 shares of the payment services company's stock, valued at approximately $4,788,000. American Express accounts for 1.5% of Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors LLC's holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest holding.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in American Express by 6,600.0% during the fourth quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 67 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of American Express during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Sfam LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Express during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in shares of American Express during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new position in shares of American Express during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Express Stock Up 0.4%

AXP opened at $339.90 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $342.72 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $326.91. American Express Company has a 52 week low of $290.97 and a 52 week high of $387.49. The company has a market capitalization of $229.54 billion, a PE ratio of 20.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results 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 $19.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.70 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $4.08 earnings per share. American Express's revenue for the quarter 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. Analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd were paid a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 2nd. American Express's dividend payout ratio is currently 23.06%.

More American Express News

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express is expanding its premium lifestyle and sports partnerships by naming St Andrews Links its Official Payments Partner. The agreement could increase global brand visibility, card-member engagement and spending among affluent travelers and golf fans. American Express and St Andrews Links Trust partnership
• Positive Sentiment: AXP has expanded virtual-card capabilities for U.S. commercial customers through its @ Work platform and Conferma. The move embeds American Express more deeply into corporate payment and travel workflows, potentially improving retention, security and business-spending volumes. American Express expanded virtual cards strategy
• Positive Sentiment: A profile of CEO Steve Squeri highlights American Express’s successful focus on millennials and Gen Z customers, including the willingness of younger consumers to pay premium annual fees for differentiated benefits. The narrative reinforces the company’s premium-card strategy and customer growth potential. American Express CEO and premium card strategy
• Neutral Sentiment: Management will participate in the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference on September 16. The event may provide updates on spending trends, credit quality and 2026 guidance, but no new financial outlook was announced. American Express Barclays conference announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: American Express is among the holdings in US Financial 15 Split Corp., which declared a monthly preferred-share distribution. The announcement has no direct impact on AXP’s earnings or capital allocation. US Financial 15 preferred dividend announcement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of American Express from $330.00 to $338.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of American Express from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 24th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of American Express from $387.00 to $391.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on American Express from $322.00 to $364.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, American Express presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $373.32.

American Express Company Profile

American Express is a global financial services company primarily known for its payment card products, travel services and merchant network. Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company evolved through the 20th century into a payments and travel-focused organization. Its core activities include issuing consumer and commercial charge and credit cards, operating a global card acceptance and processing network, and providing travel-related services and customer loyalty programs.

American Express issues a range of products for individuals, small businesses and large corporations, including personal cards, business and corporate cards, and co‑brand partnerships with airlines, hotels and retailers.

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