Flputnam Investment Management Co. Invests $12.88 Million in American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Flputnam Investment Management initiated a $12.88 million American Express position by purchasing 38,076 shares in the second quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 84.33% of AXP.
• American Express reported quarterly EPS of $4.53, exceeding the $4.41 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 10% year over year. Management’s fiscal 2026 EPS guidance is $17.30–$17.90.
• AXP shares recently traded near $342, and analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $373.32; the company also pays a quarterly dividend of $0.95, yielding about 1.1%.

Flputnam Investment Management Co. purchased a new stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 38,076 shares of the payment services company's stock, valued at approximately $12,879,000.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of American Express during the fourth quarter worth about $2,464,215,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in American Express in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,263,787,000. Capital World Investors increased its holdings in American Express by 46.7% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 7,515,675 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $2,780,424,000 after buying an additional 2,393,340 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund raised its position in American Express by 350.0% during the 1st quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 1,236,438 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $373,998,000 after buying an additional 961,698 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pictet Asset Management Holding SA lifted its stake in American Express by 73.8% during the 1st quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 1,451,606 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $438,975,000 after acquiring an additional 616,498 shares during the period. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Express Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of AXP opened at $342.27 on Monday. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $290.97 and a 52-week high of $387.49. The stock has a market cap of $231.14 billion, a PE ratio of 20.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.04. The firm's fifty day moving average is $341.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $327.33. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.41 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $14.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $19.70 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.07% and a return on equity of 34.12%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $4.08 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Research analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd were paid a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 2nd. American Express's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.06%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AXP has been the topic of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of American Express from $322.00 to $364.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on American Express from $360.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut American Express from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Benchmark assumed coverage on American Express in a report on Monday, July 13th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $373.32.

American Express News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Expanded virtual-card capabilities: AXP is making American Express Virtual Cards available through its @ Work platform for U.S. corporate customers. The products offer adjustable spending limits, enhanced fraud protection and easier expense management, potentially increasing commercial-payment volumes and customer retention. American Express expands virtual cards for US commercial customers
• Positive Sentiment: Premium travel ecosystem strengthened: American Express added 350 luxury hotels across 116 countries to the Platinum Card travel program. More curated booking options could improve the value proposition of its premium cards, support spending and help justify annual fees. American Express adds 350 luxury hotels to Platinum Card travel program
• Positive Sentiment: Evidence of loyalty-driven spending: United Airlines’ results highlighted how American Express perks can help capture premium travel spending, even without a United co-branded card. The example supports AXP’s broader strategy of using travel benefits and partnerships to attract affluent customers. Popular legacy airline captures premium spend because of American Express perks
• Positive Sentiment: Constructive analyst outlook: Piper Sandler forecast meaningful appreciation potential for AXP shares, providing a positive signal following the company’s recent earnings beat and continued revenue growth. Piper Sandler Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for American Express Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Capital structure update: AXP issued Series E preferred shares and announced full redemption of Series D preferred shares. The move may improve funding flexibility, but it also adds preferred financing obligations and has limited direct impact on common-share earnings. American Express Issues New Series E Preferred Shares
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst sentiment: Coverage of AXP showed differing views, suggesting valuation and expectations remain areas of debate despite the company’s strong operating trends. Analysts Have Conflicting Sentiments on American Express

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

Continue following MarketBeat

Add MarketBeat as your preferred source on Google to see our latest stories in your feed.

Add As Preferred Source