Highland Capital Management LLC Sells 8,100 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Highland Capital Management reduced its stake in American Express by 21.8%, selling 8,100 shares and ending the quarter with 29,025 shares valued at about $10.74 million.
• Insiders sold 73,944 shares worth roughly $26.11 million over the last quarter — notable sales include Ravikumar Radhakrishnan (15,000 shares at ~$356.58) and Anna Marrs (27,425 shares at ~$350.01), leaving insiders with just 0.14% ownership.
• Company results and payout: American Express beat EPS estimates with $4.28 vs. $4.01, set FY2026 guidance of $17.30–$17.90 EPS, and raised its quarterly dividend to $0.95 (annualized $3.80, ~1.2% yield).

Highland Capital Management LLC decreased its position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 21.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 29,025 shares of the payment services company's stock after selling 8,100 shares during the period. Highland Capital Management LLC's holdings in American Express were worth $10,738,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of American Express by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 8,881,546 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $2,950,095,000 after acquiring an additional 146,586 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its position in American Express by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 5,122,335 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $1,701,435,000 after purchasing an additional 24,297 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its position in American Express by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 4,452,660 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $1,479,019,000 after purchasing an additional 29,331 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of American Express by 27.0% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,970,416 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $1,310,515,000 after acquiring an additional 845,283 shares during the period. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc grew its position in shares of American Express by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 3,483,876 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $1,157,204,000 after acquiring an additional 83,189 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at American Express

In other news, insider Ravikumar Radhakrishnan sold 15,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.58, for a total value of $5,348,700.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 8,945 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,189,608.10. This trade represents a 62.64% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.01, for a total transaction of $9,599,024.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 20,394 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,138,103.94. This trade represents a 57.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 73,944 shares of company stock worth $26,114,366. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on AXP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $325.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of American Express from $395.00 to $385.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $415.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Friday, April 10th. Evercore set a $345.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $357.47.

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AXP opened at $319.25 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $311.71 and a 200-day moving average price of $344.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The stock has a market cap of $217.83 billion, a PE ratio of 19.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.08. American Express Company has a 1 year low of $273.61 and a 1 year high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $14.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.60 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.64 earnings per share. American Express's quarterly revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 17.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared 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 represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. This is a boost from American Express's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. American Express's payout ratio is 23.71%.

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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