Principal Financial Group Inc. Buys 208,769 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 34.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 818,057 shares of the payment services company's stock after acquiring an additional 208,769 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.12% of American Express worth $302,640,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in American Express by 27.0% during the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,970,416 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $1,310,515,000 after buying an additional 845,283 shares during the last quarter. Amundi raised its stake in American Express by 23.9% during the third quarter. Amundi now owns 2,787,580 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $925,449,000 after buying an additional 537,205 shares during the last quarter. Danske Bank A S bought a new position in American Express during the third quarter worth $153,292,000. PFA Pension Forsikringsaktieselskab bought a new position in American Express during the fourth quarter worth $166,848,000. Finally, Capital Wealth Planning LLC raised its stake in American Express by 18.5% during the third quarter. Capital Wealth Planning LLC now owns 2,169,242 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $720,535,000 after buying an additional 337,991 shares during the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.91, for a total transaction of $8,346,340.35. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 7,754 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,767,480.14. This represents a 75.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Howard Grosfield sold 8,134 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on 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. This trade represents a 46.30% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 73,944 shares of company stock worth $26,114,366. 0.14% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

American Express Trading Down 1.0%

NYSE:AXP opened at $315.95 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $311.11 and a 200-day moving average of $344.26. The company has a market cap of $215.58 billion, a PE ratio of 19.71, a PEG ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.08. American Express Company has a one year low of $273.61 and a one year high of $387.49.

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

American Express Increases Dividend

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

American Express News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Sale of remaining ~30% stake in Global Business Travel (GBT) will unlock cash and an expected pre‑tax gain, providing ammunition for buybacks/dividends and reducing exposure to travel services. AmEx's GBT Exit and Q1 Beat
• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results showed an EPS beat and management reaffirmed 2026 guidance — evidence of earnings resilience that supports the stock’s capital-return plans. AmEx's Q1 Beat / Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Airfare inflation and tighter flight capacity are pushing consumers toward cheaper alternatives and rewards programs — a macro tailwind for card spend and loyalty benefits that favor networks like AmEx. Airfares Jump 15%
• Neutral Sentiment: Board declared the quarterly dividend on Series D preferred shares (routine funding item for shareholders of the preferred series). Preferred Dividend Declared
• Neutral Sentiment: Management will appear at investor conferences and the company issued fixed‑to‑floating rate notes — both items increase transparency and adjust capital structure but are not material earnings drivers on their own. Investor Conferences Fixed-to-Floating Notes
• Negative Sentiment: Some analysts and income investors are questioning whether the company can sustain a faster-growing common dividend after a 16% raise and the larger payout schedule. That concern can pressure the stock if investors worry about future cash flow allocation. Can American Express Keep Up With Its Swelling Dividend?
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the EPS beat, some headline revenue figures and market expectations (citations in coverage) raised questions about topline momentum — investors may be selling into the news or rotating out on valuation/technical concerns. Will Strong Q1 Earnings, Card Upgrades And Asset Sale Proceeds Change AXP Narrative

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Truist Financial lowered their target price on American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 23rd. UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $395.00 target price on shares of American Express in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. TD Cowen reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of American Express from $323.00 to $322.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Express presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $357.47.

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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