NBT Bank N.A. Makes New Investment in American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• NBT Bank initiated a position in American Express, purchasing 13,991 shares valued at approximately $4.26 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 84.33% of AXP’s outstanding stock.
• American Express reported quarterly EPS of $4.53, beating estimates of $4.41, while revenue rose 10% year over year. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.95 per share, representing a 1.2% annualized yield.
• Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $365.63, although several firms recently lowered their targets. Shares opened at $324.52, below the consensus target.

NBT Bank N.A. purchased a new position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 13,991 shares of the payment services company's stock, valued at approximately $4,255,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of AXP. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of American Express by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 8,957 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $2,724,000 after acquiring an additional 329 shares in the last quarter. Woodward Diversified Capital LLC grew its position in American Express by 7.5% during the 3rd quarter. Woodward Diversified Capital LLC now owns 1,239 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $377,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Vest Financial LLC grew its position in American Express by 14.9% during the 3rd quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 233,152 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $70,902,000 after purchasing an additional 30,162 shares in the last quarter. Magnus Financial Group LLC raised its stake in American Express by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter. Magnus Financial Group LLC now owns 5,085 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $1,546,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares during the period. Finally, AMG Asset Management Group Inc. raised its stake in American Express by 19.0% during the 3rd quarter. AMG Asset Management Group Inc. now owns 1,310 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $398,000 after purchasing an additional 209 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company's stock.

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of AXP opened at $324.52 on Friday. The company's 50 day moving average price is $319.42 and its 200 day moving average price is $326.03. American Express Company has a 52 week low of $290.97 and a 52 week high of $387.49. The company has a market capitalization of $219.15 billion, a PE ratio of 19.69, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.55.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.41 by $0.12. American Express had a net margin of 15.07% and a return on equity of 34.12%. The firm had revenue of $14.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.70 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.08 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that American Express Company will post 17.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. American Express's payout ratio is currently 23.06%.

Trending Headlines about American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Airbnb partnership expands cardholder benefits: American Express is adding more than 1 million Airbnb listings to Amex Travel, giving cardmembers the ability to earn and redeem rewards on a broader range of travel bookings. The move could improve premium-card retention and competitiveness as issuers enhance rewards programs. American Express brings Airbnb bookings and rewards to Amex Travel platform
• Positive Sentiment: Options market points to a potential post-earnings rally: Barchart data indicates options traders are positioning for AXP shares to move higher after the results, reflecting optimism ahead of the report. Ahead of American Express Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for AXP Stock
• Positive Sentiment: New co-branded card broadens distribution: American Express, Albertsons and Imprint launched the Albertsons forU American Express Card, potentially expanding customer acquisition through the grocery retailer’s loyalty ecosystem. Albertsons Companies Introduces New Albertsons forU American Express Card
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings expectations are the main near-term catalyst: Analysts reportedly expect approximately $4.50 in Q3 EPS and $20.12 billion in revenue. Investors will also assess card spending, credit trends, provisions and operating expenses before adjusting estimates. American Express Q3 earnings watchlist: revenue, card spending, costs
• Negative Sentiment: ETF selling and competitive pressure remain risks: ETFs were reported as net sellers of AXP, while strong performance by rival Visa highlights investor preference for competing payment networks. These factors could limit upside if American Express delivers only an in-line report. ETFs Are Net Sellers of American Express

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group reduced their target price on American Express from $384.00 to $345.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 5th. Loop Capital lowered their price target on American Express from $389.00 to $386.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 27th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on American Express from $382.00 to $380.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 12th. HSBC upped their price target on American Express from $312.00 to $329.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $365.63.

American Express Profile

American Express Company is a global financial services company that provides payment, lending, travel and expense management products and services. Its offerings include consumer and small-business charge and credit cards, corporate payment programs, business financing solutions, deposit products and digital payment services.

The company operates an integrated payments network that connects card members, merchants and financial institutions. American Express also provides merchant acquisition and payment processing services, data and analytics, fraud prevention tools, and customer loyalty programs.

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