Vertrix Wealth Management LLC Invests $4.98 Million in American Express Company $AXP

Vertrix Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 16,457 shares of the payment services company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,978,000. American Express accounts for about 1.8% of Vertrix Wealth Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of American Express by 6,600.0% in the fourth quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 67 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new position in American Express during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Sfam LLC acquired a new position in American Express in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in shares of American Express during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Express during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

American Express Stock Performance

AXP opened at $347.52 on Thursday. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $321.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $333.36. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $288.34 and a 52-week high of $387.49. The company has a market cap of $237.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.68, a PEG ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.01 by $0.27. American Express had a net margin of 15.13% and a return on equity of 33.95%. The business had revenue of $14.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.60 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.64 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 17.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 2nd. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is presently 23.71%.

American Express News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Piper Sandler upgraded American Express from neutral to strong-buy, which likely boosted investor confidence in the stock’s outlook.
• Positive Sentiment: American Express and Resy, with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, launched a new Restaurant Academy to train restaurant leaders, reinforcing the company’s brand relationships in dining and hospitality. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: American Express expanded its Membership Rewards usefulness by letting U.S. cardholders redeem points through Apple Pay, a move that could improve cardholder engagement and loyalty. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple articles highlighted American Express’s growth, resilience, and long-term appeal, including commentary that the company remains one of Warren Buffett’s oldest stock picks, helping reinforce a premium valuation narrative. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: A fast-company article said Amex wants to help the restaurant industry solve management problems, but it read more like a brand/industry profile than a direct earnings or revenue catalyst. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: One note also mentioned a price target increase from BTIG, but the firm kept a sell rating, making the signal mixed rather than clearly positive.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of American Express from $323.00 to $322.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 24th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of American Express from $425.00 to $415.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $415.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research note on Friday, April 10th. DZ Bank upgraded American Express from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $375.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 18th. Finally, Evercore set a $345.00 price target on American Express in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Express has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $366.95.

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.