Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. Makes New Investment in American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. opened a new position in American Express, buying 4,000 shares worth about $1.48 million in the fourth quarter.
• Institutional ownership remains very high, with hedge funds and other large investors holding 84.33% of American Express shares. Several firms have recently increased their stakes, underscoring continued institutional interest.
• News flow around AXP was mixed: one broker raised the stock to Buy with a higher price target, but other analysts kept a Hold stance and investor reaction to the latest earnings was described as lukewarm.

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. purchased a new position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 4,000 shares of the payment services company's stock, valued at approximately $1,480,000.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 845,283 shares during the last quarter. Amundi lifted its holdings in American Express by 23.9% during the 3rd quarter. Amundi now owns 2,787,580 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $925,449,000 after purchasing an additional 537,205 shares during the last quarter. Danske Bank A S bought a new position in American Express during the 3rd quarter valued at about $153,292,000. PFA Pension Forsikringsaktieselskab bought a new position in American Express during the 4th quarter valued at about $166,848,000. Finally, Capital Wealth Planning LLC lifted its holdings in American Express by 18.5% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Wealth Planning LLC now owns 2,169,242 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $720,535,000 after purchasing an additional 337,991 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company's stock.

American Express News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Freedom Broker raised its view on American Express to Buy from Hold and lifted its price target to $370 from $325, signaling confidence in the company’s earnings power and valuation. American Express (AXP) Gets Price Target Hike from Freedom Broker despite Unchanged Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: American Express Canada launched a new Chef in Residence program to expand Platinum dining experiences, reinforcing the company’s premium-card positioning and member engagement strategy. American Express Canada Expands Platinum Dining Experiences with New American Express Chef in Residence Program
• Neutral Sentiment: Barclays initiated or maintained a Hold-type stance on American Express, suggesting analysts see limited near-term upside after the latest results rather than a strong catalyst. American Express (AXP) Gets a Hold from Barclays
• Neutral Sentiment: A consumer-loan satisfaction report showed non-bank lenders closing the gap with banks, which is relevant to American Express because it highlights rising competition in consumer finance, but it does not directly change AXP’s outlook on its own. Non-Bank Lenders Close Satisfaction Gap with Banks as Consumer Loan Satisfaction Remains Flat, JD Power Finds
• Negative Sentiment: Investor reaction to American Express’s first-quarter earnings was described as lukewarm, and a portfolio update from Artisan Select Equity Fund listed AXP among its worst contributors, suggesting sentiment around the stock has cooled despite solid fundamentals. Is American Express Stock Still Worth Buying After Earnings? Artisan Select Equity Fund Q1 2026 Portfolio Update

American Express Trading Down 0.9%

AXP opened at $309.42 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $211.13 billion, a PE ratio of 19.30, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.08. American Express Company has a 1-year low of $281.46 and a 1-year high of $387.49. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $311.01 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $341.59.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last posted 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 net margin of 15.13% and a return on equity of 33.95%. The firm had revenue of $14.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.60 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.64 EPS. The company'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. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 17.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AXP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Freedom Capital raised shares of American Express from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th. BTIG Research restated a "sell" rating and issued a $285.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $325.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $395.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $357.47.

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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