Stephens Inc. AR Decreases Holdings in American Express Company $AXP

Stephens Inc. AR lowered its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 7.9% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 18,009 shares of the payment services company’s stock after selling 1,538 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR’s holdings in American Express were worth $5,982,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in shares of American Express by 24.4% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,481 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,924,000 after acquiring an additional 1,273 shares in the last quarter. Balefire LLC lifted its holdings in American Express by 10.1% in the 2nd quarter. Balefire LLC now owns 2,326 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $742,000 after purchasing an additional 214 shares in the last quarter. Financiere des Professionnels Fonds d investissement inc. acquired a new stake in American Express during the 2nd quarter worth $887,000. Baron Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in American Express during the 2nd quarter worth $247,000. Finally, Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 1.1% during the second quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 16,332 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $5,210,000 after buying an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at American Express

In other news, insider Denise Pickett sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.73, for a total value of $1,753,650.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 7,726 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,709,739.98. The trade was a 39.29% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total transaction of $18,010,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 85,577 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $30,825,691.17. The trade was a 36.88% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 57,515 shares of company stock worth $20,658,509. Company insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

American Express Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of NYSE AXP opened at $357.41 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $246.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.59. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $368.63 and a 200-day simple moving average of $340.74. American Express Company has a 1 year low of $220.43 and a 1 year high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported ($11.85) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.56 by ($15.41). The business had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.91 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 33.41% and a net margin of 14.97%. On average, equities research analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.82 per share. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.01%.

More American Express News

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express reported stable card lending and credit metrics for the quarter-to-date, signaling no immediate deterioration in credit performance. American Express Reports Stable Card Lending and Credit Metrics
• Positive Sentiment: Some sell-offs have attracted bullish commentary: JPMorgan analysts forecast strong price appreciation for AXP, reflecting confidence in the company’s earnings power if regulatory risks subside. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for American Express
• Positive Sentiment: Several retail-focused pieces argue the AXP pullback could be a buying opportunity for long-term investors, framing the drop as policy-driven rather than company-specific. American Express Stock Dips. Time to Buy?
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry roundups and peer comparisons (Q3 reviews, valuation write‑ups) put AXP’s fundamentals in context but don’t change the near-term narrative driven by policy risk. Credit Card Stocks Q3 In Review: American Express Vs Peers
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation comparisons (e.g., AXP vs. other financial/misc services names) offer perspective for value investors but are secondary to policy and macro developments. BUR vs. AXP: Which Stock Should Value Investors Buy Now?
• Negative Sentiment: President Trump’s proposed 10% cap on credit-card interest rates has been widely reported and directly pressured AXP and peers, creating risk of revenue compression or business-model changes if enacted. Trump’s 10% Credit Card Cap Plan Hit AmEx Stock Hard
• Negative Sentiment: Banking leaders and commentators are publicly opposing the cap, warning it could force account closures or reduce lending—heightening the chance of political and legal battles that add near-term uncertainty. Wall Street bankers hope to fend off Trump’s demands for credit card rate cap
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple outlets quote CEOs and bank execs saying a 10% cap would harm lending and consumers, reinforcing market concerns that regulatory action could materially reduce card yields and fees. Wall Street Vs. White House: CEOs Warn Trump’s 10% Credit Card Rate Cap Would Freeze Lending

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Cowen reissued a “hold” rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $385.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday. Compass Point restated a “neutral” rating and set a $324.00 target price on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings upgraded American Express from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut American Express from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, November 9th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Express presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $352.82.

About American Express

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.