Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp Reduces Holdings in American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp trimmed its stake in American Express by 2.5%, selling 5,920 shares and leaving it with 231,971 shares valued at about $85.8 million at quarter-end.
• American Express beat EPS estimates with $4.28 vs. $4.01 consensus and raised FY2026 EPS guidance to 17.30–17.90, though quarterly revenue of $14.22 billion trailed the $18.60 billion estimate.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.95 (from $0.82) payable May 8, while insiders sold a total of 73,944 shares (~$26.1 million) over the past 90 days.

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp lessened its holdings in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 2.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 231,971 shares of the payment services company's stock after selling 5,920 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp's holdings in American Express were worth $85,818,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. M&T Bank Corp lifted its stake in American Express by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 161,213 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $59,641,000 after buying an additional 4,109 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC increased its position in American Express by 25.4% during the fourth quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 12,212 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $4,518,000 after buying an additional 2,472 shares in the last quarter. RMR Wealth Builders raised its holdings in shares of American Express by 7.9% in the fourth quarter. RMR Wealth Builders now owns 9,614 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $3,557,000 after acquiring an additional 706 shares during the last quarter. Anchyra Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Express in the fourth quarter worth $439,000. Finally, Aprio Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of American Express by 117.9% in the fourth quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,328 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $1,231,000 after acquiring an additional 1,801 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Express Stock Up 1.5%

Shares of NYSE:AXP opened at $318.89 on Tuesday. 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 firm has a market cap of $217.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.89, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.13. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $313.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $344.48. American Express Company has a 12-month low of $257.21 and a 12-month high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.60 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.64 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.6 EPS for the current year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, April 3rd will be given a $0.95 dividend. This is an increase from American Express's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 2nd. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. American Express's dividend payout ratio is 23.71%.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In other American Express news, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated 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 approximately $7,138,103.94. The trade was a 57.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Howard Grosfield sold 8,134 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $346.73, for a total value of $2,820,301.82. Following the sale, the insider owned 9,433 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,270,704.09. The trade was a 46.30% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 73,944 shares of company stock worth $26,114,366 over the last ninety days. 0.14% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $420.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $325.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of American Express from $381.00 to $387.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $415.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Friday, April 10th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $361.05.

Key American Express News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly/earnings commentary reinforces the bull case — Seeking Alpha highlights steady growth and a "maintain buy" view after recent results and management's FY2026 EPS guide, supporting investor confidence in AXP's profit outlook. American Express: Earnings Show Steady Growth, Maintain Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst/strategy pieces argue AXP is a long-term value — Zacks profiles American Express as a top value stock based on style scores and fundamentals, which can attract value-oriented buyers. Why American Express (AXP) is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term
• Positive Sentiment: Industry pricing precedent may boost fee revenue — Coverage in TheStreet/Yahoo notes that fee increases by market leaders (AmEx, Chase) set a precedent that could support higher revenues and margins across card issuers if widely adopted. That dynamic supports upside to AXP's revenue mix. American Express, Chase set a new precedent for credit card fees
• Neutral Sentiment: Comparisons to peers — The Fool compares AXP vs. Bank of America as buy candidates (both Buffett-favorites). Such comparative pieces can drive interest but don't change AXP's fundamentals directly. Better Buy Right Now: American Express vs. Bank of America
• Neutral Sentiment: Competitor strength noted — A published roundup praising Mastercard's low-risk/high-growth profile highlights differences in business models (MA doesn't extend credit). This reminds investors of competitive dynamics that could influence strategy and multiple expansion. Mastercard (MA): One of the Best Low Risk and High Growth Stocks to Invest In Now
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst caution and short-term sector weakness — Evercore ISI issued a "Hold" on AXP, and a weekly financials wrap listed AmEx among laggards, which can cap near-term upside and contribute to profit-taking. American Express (AXP) Receives a Hold from Evercore ISI Financials wrap: AXP in losers

American Express Company 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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