American Express (NYSE:AXP) CEO Stephen Squeri Sells 299,401 Shares of Company Stock

Key Points

• American Express CEO Stephen Squeri sold 299,401 shares for about $99.4 million, reducing his direct stake by 83.17% to 60,567 shares.
• Quarterly EPS was $4.68, topping the $4.50 consensus, while revenue of $20.06 billion came in slightly below estimates; revenue rose 8.9% year over year.
• Analysts’ consensus rating was Moderate Buy, with an average price target of $365.22. Shares were trading at $321.02 in the report.

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) CEO Stephen Squeri sold 299,401 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $332.16, for a total transaction of $99,449,036.16. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 60,567 shares of the company's stock, valued at $20,117,934.72. The trade was a 83.17% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link.

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:AXP traded down $3.95 on Friday, reaching $321.02. 2,931,639 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,232,038. The business's 50-day moving average is $316.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $325.81. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. American Express Company has a fifty-two week low of $290.97 and a fifty-two week high of $387.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $215.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.08, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.09.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.50 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $20.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.12 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 34.19%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $4.14 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.600-17.900 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.98 EPS for the current year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 10th. Investors of record on Friday, October 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. American Express's dividend payout ratio is currently 21.40%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Express

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Archer Investment Corp bought a new stake in American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in American Express by 78.8% during the 3rd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 93 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the period. John Boyer Inc. bought a new position in American Express during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 66.7% during the first quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 100 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 2,550.0% during the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 106 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 102 shares in 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: American Express has reduced its share count by 27% since 2016, while diluted earnings per share increased 352% from Q3 2016 to the latest quarter. The article credits its premium brand and network advantages—long-term strengths that have helped shareholders, rather than a new near-term development. Article: American Express Has Cut Its Share Count by 27% Since 2016
• Positive Sentiment: ETFs recorded $41.8 million in net purchases of AXP shares on Nov. 4, providing a modest signal of institutional demand. Article: American Express Sees $41.8 Million in Net ETF Buying
• Negative Sentiment: A report says American Express insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares. Insider sales can weigh on sentiment, although the provided report does not give context for the transaction. Article: Insider Laureen Seeger Sells 69,860 Shares
• Negative Sentiment: AXP also had a notable decline in the prior session, but the cited coverage does not specify what drove the move. This recent weakness may be weighing on near-term sentiment. Article: American Express Drops 3.5%

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on AXP shares. Loop Capital decreased their price target on shares of American Express from $389.00 to $386.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Guggenheim initiated coverage on American Express in a research note on Monday, July 13th. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on American Express from $396.00 to $405.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. TD Cowen decreased their target price on American Express from $338.00 to $335.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Finally, Truist Financial cut their target price on American Express from $375.00 to $370.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Express has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $365.22.

American Express Company Profile

American Express Company is a global payments and financial services company that operates a card-issuing business and a payments network. Its products and services include consumer, small-business and corporate cards, payment processing, lending, travel services and expense-management solutions.

Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company expanded into financial services and became known for its charge cards and travel-related services. Today, it serves cardholders and businesses in the United States and markets around the world, connecting customers, merchants and financial institutions through its network.

Stephen J.

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