MQS Management LLC Makes New $913,000 Investment in American Express Company $AXP

MQS Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 2,467 shares of the payment services company’s stock, valued at approximately $913,000. American Express comprises 0.5% of MQS Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 20th largest position.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Planning Alternatives Ltd. ADV raised its position in shares of American Express by 9.1% during the fourth quarter. Planning Alternatives Ltd. ADV now owns 1,090 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $403,000 after buying an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of American Express by 25.9% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,924 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $2,191,000 after buying an additional 1,218 shares during the last quarter. Delta Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of American Express by 16.7% during the fourth quarter. Delta Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,464 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $912,000 after buying an additional 353 shares during the last quarter. Americana Partners LLC raised its position in shares of American Express by 41.0% during the fourth quarter. Americana Partners LLC now owns 14,168 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $5,241,000 after buying an additional 4,122 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legato Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Express during the fourth quarter valued at about $1,172,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

American Express Price Performance

Shares of American Express stock opened at $311.98 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $212.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.08. American Express Company has a 1-year low of $281.46 and a 1-year high of $387.49. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $311.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $340.69.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.01 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $14.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.60 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.13% and a return on equity of 33.95%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.64 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that American Express Company will post 17.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. This is a positive change from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 2nd. American Express’s payout ratio is currently 23.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “sell” rating and set a $285.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Loop Capital assumed coverage on shares of American Express in a research report on Thursday. They set a “buy” rating and a $389.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of American Express from $395.00 to $385.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $325.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, Evercore set a $345.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $359.05.

Key Headlines Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts highlighted American Express’s resilient premium spending, strong earnings growth, and expanding lifestyle ecosystem as reasons it may have more upside than PayPal. American Express vs. PayPal: Which Fintech Stock Has More Upside?
• Positive Sentiment: American Express expanded its sports-commerce strategy through a Fanatics tie-up, adding a co-branded card and rewards integration that could support card usage and customer engagement. AmEx Expands Sports Commerce Strategy With Fanatics Tie-Up
• Positive Sentiment: American Express was also mentioned as one of Warren Buffett’s long-term “forever” holdings, reinforcing investor confidence in the company’s durable business model and cash-generating ability. Warren Buffett’s favorite stocks to buy and hold forever
• Neutral Sentiment: Other articles simply reiterated American Express’s status as a Buffett-backed dividend and quality financial stock, which supports the investment case but does not represent a new catalyst. 2 Warren Buffett Stocks That Pay You a Passive Income
• Neutral Sentiment: A broader market piece said weakness in American Express is drawing attention to S&P 500 value stocks, which is more of a commentary on relative valuation than a direct negative company-specific development. American Express Weakness Puts S&P 500 Value In Focus
• Neutral Sentiment: Promotional news about new Hilton and Marriott card offers may support future card sign-ups, but it appears to be routine marketing rather than a major earnings-moving event. New Hilton and Marriott credit card offers — earn up to 175,000 points

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.