Carnegie Investment Counsel Acquires 8,480 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Carnegie Investment Counsel boosted its stake in American Express by 132.1% in Q4, buying 8,480 shares to own 14,899 shares valued at about $5.51 million.
• American Express raised its quarterly dividend to $0.95 (up from $0.82), representing a $3.80 annualized payout (1.2% yield); the ex-dividend date is April 2 and the dividend is payable May 8.
• Analyst and insider activity: JPMorgan sharply cut its AXP price target to $325 and moved to Neutral, the consensus rating is a Hold with an average target of $351.20, and insiders have sold 73,944 shares totaling about $26.1 million in the past 90 days.

Carnegie Investment Counsel increased its holdings in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 132.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,899 shares of the payment services company's stock after buying an additional 8,480 shares during the period. Carnegie Investment Counsel's holdings in American Express were worth $5,512,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in American Express by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,712 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $1,233,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp boosted its holdings in American Express by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp now owns 308 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $105,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in American Express by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,214 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $465,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. Lantz Financial LLC boosted its holdings in American Express by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 808 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $299,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. Finally, McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in American Express by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,910 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $967,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

American Express News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks highlights AXP for earnings growth and price strength, naming it a stock to watch — a momentum/earnings-based endorsement that can attract investors. Earnings Growth & Price Strength Make American Express (AXP) a Stock to Watch
• Positive Sentiment: Seasonality study (Benzinga) points to a historical April–June lift for AXP, with a recurring mid‑April buy signal — this creates a short-term technical tailwind for traders. American Express Has A Spring Pattern: History Says April 14 Is The Buy Signal
• Neutral Sentiment: Kalkine reports AXP tracking valuation metrics within the S&P 500 — useful context on relative valuation but not an immediate catalyst. American Express NYSE: AXP Tracks Valuation Metrics Within S&P 500 Chart
• Neutral Sentiment: Visa’s push on AI-driven commerce (Intelligent Commerce Connect) is industry‑level news — potential longer‑term competitive pressure, but not an immediate earnings shock to AXP. How Can Visa's Intelligent Commerce Connect Power AI Agents?
• Neutral Sentiment: MarketBeat / newsletter pieces discuss sector picks and analyst commentary that may shift investor interest into/away from financials; informative but not a direct catalyst. 3 Sectors to Buy While They're Down and 1 to Walk Away From
• Neutral Sentiment: Globe and Mail roundup and Delta’s strong Q1 revenue both add macro/sector color — Delta’s travel strength supports consumer spend trends that benefit card issuers like Amex. Analysts Offer Insights on Financial Companies: MSCI (MSCI) and American Express (AXP)
• Negative Sentiment: Wells Fargo lowered its AXP price target from $425 to $415 while keeping an Overweight rating — a modest negative signal that trims upside expectations. Wells Fargo Lowers AXP Target, Says Consumer Trends Remain Resilient
• Negative Sentiment: JPMorgan cut its price target sharply (reported from $375 to $325) and moved to a Neutral rating — this is the largest near-term negative catalyst and likely the main driver of selling pressure. American Express price target cut coverage

American Express Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of NYSE:AXP opened at $313.83 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $318.93 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $344.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.58. American Express Company has a one year low of $239.27 and a one year high of $387.49. The company has a market cap of $215.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.39, a PEG ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 1.13.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.54 by ($0.01). American Express had a net margin of 15.00% and a return on equity of 33.49%. The firm had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.91 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.04 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. This is an increase from American Express's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 2nd. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. American Express's dividend payout ratio is 24.69%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AXP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of American Express from $425.00 to $415.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $415.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a report on Friday. TD Cowen reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of American Express in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Truist Financial cut their price target on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b-)" rating on shares of American Express in a report on Friday, March 27th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $351.20.

Insider Activity at American Express

In other news, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.91, for a total transaction of $8,346,340.35. Following the sale, the insider owned 7,754 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,767,480.14. This trade represents a 75.10% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.01, for a total transaction of $9,599,024.25. Following the sale, the insider owned 20,394 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,138,103.94. This trade represents a 57.35% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 73,944 shares of company stock worth $26,114,366. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the company's stock.

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.

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