Kestra Advisory Services LLC Buys 21,738 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Kestra Advisory Services increased its American Express stake by 26.5% in the third quarter, adding 21,738 shares and bringing its holdings to 103,646 shares, valued at about $31.5 million.
• Analysts’ consensus rating is “Moderate Buy,” with an average price target of $365.22; 18 analysts rate the stock Buy and 13 rate it Hold.
• American Express beat quarterly earnings expectations with EPS of $4.68 versus $4.50 estimated, while revenue rose 8.9% year over year. CEO Stephen Squeri and other insiders disclosed substantial share sales during the quarter.

Kestra Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 26.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 103,646 shares of the payment services company's stock after acquiring an additional 21,738 shares during the period. Kestra Advisory Services LLC's holdings in American Express were worth $31,519,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Riverbend Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 0.8% during the third quarter. Riverbend Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,534 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $1,379,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. increased its position in shares of American Express by 1.9% during the first quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 1,878 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $568,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 58.3% in the 2nd quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 95 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 793 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $241,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Gryphon Financial Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of American Express by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Gryphon Financial Partners LLC now owns 2,489 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $753,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on AXP shares. Barclays dropped their price target on American Express from $342.00 to $340.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 26th. Evercore set a $330.00 price target on American Express in a research report on Tuesday, October 27th. President Capital boosted their price objective on American Express from $359.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on American Express from $338.00 to $335.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of American Express from $340.00 to $335.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $365.22.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Express

In other American Express news, CEO Stephen Squeri sold 299,401 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $332.16, for a total value of $99,449,036.16. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 60,567 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $20,117,934.72. This trade represents a 83.17% 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 the SEC website. Also, insider Anna Marrs sold 44,910 shares of the business's 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 sale, the insider owned 20,509 shares in the company, valued at $6,710,544.80. The trade was a 68.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 414,171 shares of company stock valued at $137,069,544. 0.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Trending Headlines about 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, hitting $321.02. The stock had a trading volume of 2,932,179 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,071,100. The firm has a market cap of $215.26 billion, a PE ratio of 18.08, a PEG ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.09. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $316.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $325.65. American Express Company has a fifty-two week low of $290.97 and a fifty-two week high of $387.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 1.58.

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

American Express Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be given a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. American Express's dividend payout ratio is presently 21.40%.

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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