California State Teachers Retirement System Reduces Stake in American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• California State Teachers Retirement System reduced its American Express stake by 3.4%, selling 28,827 shares and retaining 826,577 shares valued at approximately $250 million. Institutional investors collectively own 84.33% of AXP.
• American Express reported quarterly EPS of $4.53, above the $4.41 analyst consensus, while revenue rose 10% year over year to $14.99 billion. The company issued fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $17.30–$17.90.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive but mixed: AXP has a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $372.95, though some firms cited valuation, expenses and guidance concerns.

California State Teachers Retirement System cut its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 3.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 826,577 shares of the payment services company's stock after selling 28,827 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System owned 0.12% of American Express worth $250,023,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Lantz Financial LLC increased its holdings in American Express by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 808 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $299,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the period. Members Trust Co grew its position in shares of American Express by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Members Trust Co now owns 2,139 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $791,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Gilliland Jeter Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of American Express by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Gilliland Jeter Wealth Management LLC now owns 633 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $234,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 2.9% in the fourth quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC now owns 1,017 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $376,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 3.4% in the fourth quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. now owns 874 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $323,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Express Trading Up 0.3%

NYSE AXP opened at $336.51 on Wednesday. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $333.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $329.35. American Express Company has a twelve month low of $288.34 and a twelve month high of $387.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66. The company has a market capitalization of $227.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.42, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.04.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 EPS 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 business had revenue of $14.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $19.70 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $4.08 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Research analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be paid a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 2nd. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. American Express's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.06%.

More American Express News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support is improving. KBW and Deutsche Bank both assigned Buy ratings to AXP, helping reinforce the view that the recent pullback has created an attractive entry point. American Express Receives a Buy from KBW American Express Gets a Buy from Deutsche Bank
• Positive Sentiment: Card spending and revenue momentum remain healthy. American Express raised its 2026 revenue-growth outlook to 10%, citing continued spending strength. Management plans to reinvest operating gains in customers, technology and strategic capabilities, which analysts view as supportive of longer-term growth. AXP Q2 Earnings Call Highlights Reinvestment Strategy
• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings exceeded expectations. AXP reported quarterly EPS of $4.53 versus the $4.41 consensus, while revenue increased 10% year over year. Analysts also highlighted resilient spending among premium cardholders and maintained optimistic long-term views. American Express Revenue Momentum Could Drive Higher Reinvestment
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation opinions are mixed. One analysis found meaningful upside using an excess-returns model, supported by product changes and partnerships, but noted that AXP’s strong five-year performance has already priced in much of its business strength. Jefferies continues to rate the shares Hold. American Express Stock Still Looks Below Fair Value Today
• Negative Sentiment: Expenses and guidance quality remain concerns. Although earnings beat estimates, analysts cited weaker-than-expected sales and 2026 sales guidance slightly below consensus. Higher reinvestment and operating costs could limit near-term margin expansion. Analysts Cut Forecasts Following Q2 Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Some analysts remain cautious. BTIG downgraded AXP to Sell and lowered its price target to $315, while separate commentary argued investors should wait for a better entry point. BTIG American Express Rating Update

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on AXP shares. Piper Sandler lowered American Express from an "overweight" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Evercore set a $370.00 price target on American Express in a report on Monday. TD Cowen lifted their price target on American Express from $330.00 to $338.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised American Express from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $328.00 to $400.00 in a report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, HSBC upped their price objective on shares of American Express from $312.00 to $329.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $372.95.

American Express 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.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report).

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.