Certuity LLC Buys 4,008 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Certuity LLC increased its stake in American Express by 146.3% in Q4, purchasing 4,008 shares to hold 6,747 shares valued at $2.496 million, while institutional investors own about 84.33% of the stock.
• American Express reported quarterly EPS of $4.28 (beating estimates), provided FY2026 guidance of 17.30–17.90 EPS, and raised its quarterly dividend to $0.95 (annualized $3.80, ~1.2% yield).
• Corporate insiders sold roughly 73,944 shares (≈$26.1 million) over the past three months, and analysts show a consensus Hold rating with an average target price of $361.05.

Certuity LLC raised its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 146.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,747 shares of the payment services company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,008 shares during the quarter. Certuity LLC's holdings in American Express were worth $2,496,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of AXP. Torren Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Express during the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Express during the fourth quarter worth approximately $51,000. M&T Bank Corp raised its stake in shares of American Express by 2.6% during the fourth quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 161,213 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $59,641,000 after acquiring an additional 4,109 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of American Express by 25.4% during the fourth quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 12,212 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $4,518,000 after acquiring an additional 2,472 shares in the last quarter. Finally, RMR Wealth Builders raised its stake in shares of American Express by 7.9% during the fourth quarter. RMR Wealth Builders now owns 9,614 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $3,557,000 after acquiring an additional 706 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

American Express Stock Up 1.5%

Shares of NYSE AXP opened at $318.89 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. American Express Company has a 52 week low of $257.21 and a 52 week high of $387.49. The firm's fifty day moving average is $313.26 and its 200 day moving average is $344.48. The company has a market cap of $217.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.89, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.13.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.01 by $0.27. American Express had a net margin of 15.13% and a return on equity of 33.95%. The company had revenue of $14.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.60 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.64 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that American Express Company will post 17.6 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, April 3rd will be paid a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 2nd. This is a positive change from American Express's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. American Express's payout ratio is presently 23.71%.

Trending Headlines about American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly/earnings commentary reinforces the bull case — Seeking Alpha highlights steady growth and a "maintain buy" view after recent results and management's FY2026 EPS guide, supporting investor confidence in AXP's profit outlook. American Express: Earnings Show Steady Growth, Maintain Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst/strategy pieces argue AXP is a long-term value — Zacks profiles American Express as a top value stock based on style scores and fundamentals, which can attract value-oriented buyers. Why American Express (AXP) is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term
• Positive Sentiment: Industry pricing precedent may boost fee revenue — Coverage in TheStreet/Yahoo notes that fee increases by market leaders (AmEx, Chase) set a precedent that could support higher revenues and margins across card issuers if widely adopted. That dynamic supports upside to AXP's revenue mix. American Express, Chase set a new precedent for credit card fees
• Neutral Sentiment: Comparisons to peers — The Fool compares AXP vs. Bank of America as buy candidates (both Buffett-favorites). Such comparative pieces can drive interest but don't change AXP's fundamentals directly. Better Buy Right Now: American Express vs. Bank of America
• Neutral Sentiment: Competitor strength noted — A published roundup praising Mastercard's low-risk/high-growth profile highlights differences in business models (MA doesn't extend credit). This reminds investors of competitive dynamics that could influence strategy and multiple expansion. Mastercard (MA): One of the Best Low Risk and High Growth Stocks to Invest In Now
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst caution and short-term sector weakness — Evercore ISI issued a "Hold" on AXP, and a weekly financials wrap listed AmEx among laggards, which can cap near-term upside and contribute to profit-taking. American Express (AXP) Receives a Hold from Evercore ISI Financials wrap: AXP in losers

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on AXP shares. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of American Express from $395.00 to $385.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 16th. BTIG Research reissued a "sell" rating and set a $285.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research note on Friday. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $415.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on shares of American Express from $323.00 to $322.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $361.05.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 8,134 shares of American Express stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.73, for a total value of $2,820,301.82. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 9,433 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,270,704.09. The trade was a 46.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of American Express stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.91, for a total transaction of $8,346,340.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,754 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,767,480.14. The trade was a 75.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.14% 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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