Commonwealth Equity Services LLC Sells 12,348 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Commonwealth Equity Services cut its American Express stake by 4.4%, selling 12,348 shares in the third quarter; it retained 269,034 shares valued at about $81.8 million.
• American Express reported quarterly EPS of $4.68, above the $4.50 analyst consensus, while revenue of $20.06 billion came in slightly below expectations. Revenue rose 8.9% year over year, and the company set FY 2026 EPS guidance of $17.60–$17.90.
• Insiders sold 414,171 shares worth approximately $137.1 million over the past three months. Analysts’ consensus rating is “Moderate Buy,” with an average price target of $365.22.

Commonwealth Equity Services LLC reduced its position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 4.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 269,034 shares of the payment services company's stock after selling 12,348 shares during the quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC's holdings in American Express were worth $81,813,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Flputnam Investment Management Co. bought a new stake in American Express during the 2nd quarter valued at $12,879,000. State Street Corp grew its holdings in American Express by 40.2% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 40,967,262 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $13,857,176,000 after acquiring an additional 11,739,541 shares during the last quarter. Evolve Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in American Express in the 2nd quarter worth $5,172,000. Silicon Valley Capital Partners increased its position in shares of American Express by 14.9% in the second quarter. Silicon Valley Capital Partners now owns 41,480 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $14,030,000 after acquiring an additional 5,365 shares during the period. Finally, OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp purchased a new position in shares of American Express in the second quarter valued at about $11,642,000. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting 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%

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of AXP stock traded down $3.95 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $321.02. 2,932,179 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,071,100. 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 PE ratio of 18.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.09. American Express Company has a 12 month low of $290.97 and a 12 month high of $387.49. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $316.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $325.65.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.68 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.50 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $20.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $20.12 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 34.19%. The firm's revenue was up 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $4.14 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.600-17.900 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.98 EPS for the current year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be issued a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend 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%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on AXP shares. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $370.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. TD Cowen dropped their price target on American Express from $338.00 to $335.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of American Express from $396.00 to $405.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. Citigroup cut their price objective on American Express from $340.00 to $335.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 27th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on American Express in a report on Thursday, October 8th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $380.00 price objective for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $365.22.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In other news, 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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 60,567 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,117,934.72. This represents a 83.17% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Anna Marrs sold 44,910 shares of American Express stock in a transaction on Monday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $327.20, for a total transaction of $14,694,552.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 20,509 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,710,544.80. The trade was a 68.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 414,171 shares of company stock valued at $137,069,544. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About American Express

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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