Kestra Investment Management LLC Sells 4,700 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Kestra Investment Management sharply reduced its American Express stake in the fourth quarter, selling 4,700 shares and cutting its position by 85% to 828 shares worth about $306,000.
• American Express reported strong quarterly earnings of $4.28 per share, topping estimates, and revenue rose 11.4% year over year to $14.22 billion, though that still came in below the consensus revenue forecast.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.95 per share from $0.82, while analysts remain mixed with an overall “Hold” rating and an average price target of $359.05.

Kestra Investment Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 85.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 828 shares of the payment services company's stock after selling 4,700 shares during the period. Kestra Investment Management LLC's holdings in American Express were worth $306,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of American Express by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 9,023,482 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $3,338,238,000 after purchasing an additional 141,936 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors increased its stake in shares of 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 valued at $1,701,435,000 after purchasing an additional 24,297 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors increased its stake in shares of 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 valued at $1,479,019,000 after purchasing an additional 29,331 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of American Express by 27.0% in 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 purchasing an additional 845,283 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc increased its stake in shares of American Express by 2.4% in 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 purchasing an additional 83,189 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.33% of the company's stock.

American Express Trading Up 0.6%

NYSE AXP opened at $312.67 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. American Express Company has a twelve month low of $286.15 and a twelve month high of $387.49. The company has a market cap of $213.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.08. The business's fifty day moving average is $312.07 and its 200 day moving average is $339.44.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.01 by $0.27. American Express had a return on equity of 33.95% and a net margin of 15.13%.The company had revenue of $14.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.60 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.64 EPS. American Express's revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that American Express Company will post 17.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, April 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. This is a positive change from American Express's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 2nd. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. American Express's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AXP has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on American Express from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on American Express from $425.00 to $415.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. Barclays decreased their price target on American Express from $323.00 to $322.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 24th. BTIG Research reiterated a "sell" rating and issued a $285.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Loop Capital initiated coverage on American Express in a research note on Thursday, May 21st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $389.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $359.05.

American Express 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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