Dundas Partners LLP Buys 14,744 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Dundas Partners LLP increased its stake in American Express by 8.5%, buying 14,744 shares to hold 189,180 shares valued at about $62.84 million, making AXP its 6th-largest position (~4.4% of its holdings).
• American Express raised its quarterly dividend 16% to $0.95 ($3.80 annualized), with an ex-dividend date of April 2 and a payment date of May 8, implying a yield near 1.3%.
• Insiders have been net sellers: Denise Pickett and Anna Marrs sold large blocks on Feb. 5 and insiders disposed of 73,944 shares (~$26.11M) over the past three months, while the stock trades around $301—below the average analyst target of $352.73 and amid mixed ratings.

Dundas Partners LLP grew its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 8.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 189,180 shares of the payment services company's stock after buying an additional 14,744 shares during the period. American Express accounts for 4.4% of Dundas Partners LLP's holdings, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Dundas Partners LLP's holdings in American Express were worth $62,838,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AXP. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of American Express by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 46,425,262 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $14,808,730,000 after acquiring an additional 581,369 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in American Express by 11.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,487,316 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $4,282,984,000 after acquiring an additional 1,349,746 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its stake in American Express by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 8,881,546 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $2,950,095,000 after purchasing an additional 146,586 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in American Express during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,897,335,000. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 3.0% in the second quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 4,620,873 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $1,473,966,000 after purchasing an additional 133,439 shares during the period. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently commented on AXP. Barclays lifted their target price on American Express from $355.00 to $367.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $395.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating and set a $420.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $352.73.

Insider Activity

In related 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of American Express 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 completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 20,394 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,138,103.94. The trade was a 57.35% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders sold 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

American Express Stock Down 2.1%

American Express stock opened at $300.83 on Monday. The business's 50-day moving average price is $350.90 and its 200 day moving average price is $349.62. 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 firm has a market cap of $206.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.14. American Express Company has a 52 week low of $220.43 and a 52 week high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.54 by ($0.01). American Express had a net margin of 15.00% and a return on equity of 33.49%. The company had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.91 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.04 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 15.33 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 is Thursday, April 2nd. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. This is an increase from American Express's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. American Express's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.69%.

Key Stories Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Board approved a 16% quarterly dividend increase to $0.95 and emphasized shareholder returns, a supportive sign for income-focused investors. American Express Announces 16% Increase in Quarterly Dividend
• Positive Sentiment: New long-term stadium and NFL team partnerships aim to drive card engagement and incremental transactions in key metro markets — a revenue/TPV growth lever for premium cardholders. American Express announces stadium, NFL team partnerships
• Positive Sentiment: Company is expanding tech initiatives (AI partner Traversal) and planning a new World Trade Center HQ, signaling investment in operations and long-term productivity improvements. American Express Taps AI And Sports Deals As Stock Trades Below Targets
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation write-ups note the dividend hike and partnerships but also point out the recent pullback — useful context for investors reassessing entry points. Taking A Fresh Look At American Express (AXP) Valuation After Dividend Hike And New Sports Partnerships
• Neutral Sentiment: Company updated its Q1 earnings date and will webcast the annual meeting — housekeeping items that provide upcoming catalysts/communication opportunities. American Express Updates First-Quarter 2026 Earnings Date and Plans to Host Live Audio Webcast of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
• Negative Sentiment: Commentary says the current slide looks more sentiment-driven than business-driven — highlighting panic selling and momentum losses as drivers of the near-term weakness. American Express Stock's Slide Worsens as Shares Hit $300. Time to Buy?
• Negative Sentiment: Short interest has risen materially, indicating growing bearish positioning that can amplify downward moves. American Express Company NYSE: AXP Sees Large Increase in Short Interest
• Negative Sentiment: New premium cards from competitors (Robinhood’s $695 Platinum) are being positioned against Amex’s lucrative premium card franchise — potential pressure on market share and fee income over time. Robinhood’s new $695 Platinum card vs $895 Amex Platinum: Which one has better perks?
• Negative Sentiment: Analysis pointing to a ~12% slip in March cites concerns about disruption (AI, competition) and investor rotation away from expensive financial names. Why American Express Stock Slipped 12% In March

American Express Company 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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