Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC Trims Stock Holdings in American Express Company $AXP

Key Points

• Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC trimmed its stake in American Express by 43.8% during Q3, selling 5,203 shares and leaving it with 6,666 shares valued at about $2.214 million per its latest 13F filing.
• American Express reported $3.53 EPS (missing consensus by $0.01) with revenue of roughly $17.14 billion—up 10.5% year‑over‑year—and set FY‑2026 guidance of $17.30–$17.90 EPS.
• American Express increased its quarterly dividend to $0.95 (from $0.82), payable May 8 with an ex‑dividend date of April 2, representing an annualized $3.80 payout and a ~1.2% yield.

Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC reduced its position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 43.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,666 shares of the payment services company's stock after selling 5,203 shares during the quarter. Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC's holdings in American Express were worth $2,214,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in AXP. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its holdings 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 worth $1,479,019,000 after purchasing an additional 29,331 shares during the period. Capital World Investors lifted its holdings in American Express by 0.5% during 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 buying an additional 24,297 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Inc. CA raised its stake in shares of American Express by 28.5% during the third quarter. Capital International Inc. CA now owns 50,828 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $16,883,000 after acquiring an additional 11,260 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 993,828 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $330,110,000 after buying an additional 45,524 shares during the period. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc grew its holdings in American Express by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 3,483,876 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $1,157,204,000 after acquiring an additional 83,189 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company's stock.

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of AXP stock opened at $305.56 on Tuesday. American Express Company has a one year low of $220.43 and a one year high of $387.49. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $349.51 and its 200-day moving average price is $349.60. The firm has a market cap of $209.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a current ratio of 1.59.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.54 by ($0.01). American Express had a return on equity of 33.49% and a net margin of 15.00%.The business had revenue of ($17,139.00) million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.91 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.04 earnings per share. American Express's quarterly revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 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 a boost 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. American Express's payout ratio is currently 21.31%.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Express

In other news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 8,134 shares of American Express stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.73, for a total value of $2,820,301.82. Following the transaction, the insider directly 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 sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the insider owned 7,754 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,767,480.14. This trade represents a 75.10% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on AXP shares. Credit Suisse Group set a $328.00 target price on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, January 12th. Barclays raised their target price on American Express from $355.00 to $367.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and set a $425.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of American Express from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Express currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $352.73.

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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