Danske Bank A S Buys New Stake in American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Danske Bank A/S bought a new position of 461,500 shares of American Express, valued at about $153.3 million, representing roughly 0.07% of the company.
• American Express reported quarterly EPS of $3.53 (missing estimates by $0.01) and revenue around $17.14 billion versus analyst estimates near $18.91 billion, and set FY2026 EPS guidance of 17.30–17.90.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.95 (from $0.82), implying a $3.80 annualized payout and ~1.3% yield, while insiders sold about 73,944 shares (~$26.1 million) during the quarter.

Danske Bank A S purchased a new position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 461,500 shares of the payment services company's stock, valued at approximately $153,292,000. Danske Bank A S owned approximately 0.07% of American Express as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in American Express by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,712 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $1,233,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the period. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp lifted its position in shares of American Express by 10.0% during the third quarter. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp now owns 308 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $105,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 1.0% in the third quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,910 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $967,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in American Express by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,378 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $458,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Invenio Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in American Express by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. Invenio Wealth Partners LLC now owns 776 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $258,000 after buying an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company's stock.

American Express Price Performance

AXP stock opened at $300.16 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $206.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.50, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.15. American Express Company has a fifty-two week low of $220.43 and a fifty-two week high of $387.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $340.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $348.70.

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

American Express Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. 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 1.3%. American Express's dividend payout ratio is 24.69%.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In other news, insider Ravikumar Radhakrishnan sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.58, for a total value of $5,348,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 8,945 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,189,608.10. This represents a 62.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, 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 transaction of $2,820,301.82. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 9,433 shares in the company, valued at $3,270,704.09. The trade was a 46.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.20% of the company's stock.

More American Express News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America reiterated a Buy on AXP after February operating results, trimming its price objective slightly to $381 — the reiteration of a Buy from a major bank supports investor confidence. Bank of America Sees Stable Credit Trends in American Express (AXP) Update
• Positive Sentiment: Several bullish pieces argue AXP is an attractive “dip buy,” pointing to resilient consumer spending, steady earnings growth and the company’s premium franchise — these narratives can attract buy-the-dip flows. American Express Is An Attractive Dip Buy As Growth Continues
• Positive Sentiment: Company credit metrics were reported as broadly stable (only modest deterioration in some consumer/small-business cohorts), which reduces near-term credit concerns for investors focused on card receivables. American Express Reports Stable Credit Metrics Amid Modest Decline
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation debate continues: Zacks notes AXP trades at a premium to peers but below its own five‑year median — important context for investors weighing multiple vs. growth outlooks. Is American Express a Buy Now Despite its Premium Valuation?
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry tech shifts: Visa’s tokenization and digital credentialing trends underscore ongoing payments innovation; this is a sector tailwind but requires execution from AXP to fully benefit. Visa's Token Strategy: A Quiet Shift Powering Future Payments
• Negative Sentiment: Unusual options activity: traders bought ~43,272 put contracts in one day (≈140% above normal daily put volume), signaling short-term hedging or bearish speculation that can pressure sentiment.
• Negative Sentiment: BTIG cut its price target to $285 and placed a Sell rating — a visible sell-side downgrade that can trigger tactical selling by funds that follow such calls. BTIG Lowers Price Target on American Express
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive pressure: Robinhood’s forthcoming platinum credit card rollout is a potential threat to premium card market share and rewards-driven customer acquisition. Did Robinhood Just Say "Checkmate" to American Express?

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on AXP. Morgan Stanley set a $395.00 price objective on American Express in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. BTIG Research reduced their target price on shares of American Express from $328.00 to $285.00 and set a "sell" rating on the stock in a report on Monday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of American Express from $385.00 to $375.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Nine 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 data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $354.86.

About American Express

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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