LaFleur & Godfrey LLC Buys 6,248 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

LaFleur & Godfrey LLC boosted its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 17.3% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 42,369 shares of the payment services company’s stock after buying an additional 6,248 shares during the quarter. American Express makes up about 1.7% of LaFleur & Godfrey LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 20th biggest position. LaFleur & Godfrey LLC’s holdings in American Express were worth $14,073,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in AXP. ZEGA Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,080,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. increased its stake in American Express by 0.3% during the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 1,598,743 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $531,038,000 after acquiring an additional 4,080 shares during the last quarter. Elite Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in American Express during the third quarter valued at approximately $2,763,000. New York Life Investment Management LLC raised its position in American Express by 0.9% during the second quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 82,883 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $26,438,000 after purchasing an additional 764 shares during the period. Finally, Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its stake in shares of American Express by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,329,851 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $778,380,000 after purchasing an additional 62,474 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:AXP opened at $345.99 on Monday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $364.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $348.82. 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 Company has a one year low of $220.43 and a one year high of $387.49. The firm has a market cap of $237.56 billion, a PE ratio of 22.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.14.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.54 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.91 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 33.49% and a net margin of 15.00%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.04 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.82 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.31%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on AXP shares. Weiss Ratings raised American Express from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. BTIG Research reiterated a “sell” rating and set a $328.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Credit Suisse Group set a $328.00 target price on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of American Express in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, American Express presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $352.73.

Key Stories Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo upgraded AXP to a Buy, providing fresh broker support that likely boosted investor confidence and buying interest. American Express (AXP) Receives a Buy from Wells Fargo
• Positive Sentiment: Analyses highlighting healthier January credit metrics and a valuation check have reduced near-term credit risk concerns and supported the stock’s earnings outlook. American Express (AXP) Valuation Check After Healthier January Credit Metrics
• Positive Sentiment: Commentary from independent outlets (Seeking Alpha, The Motley Fool) continues to frame AXP as a durable, long-term growth and dividend name, reinforcing bullish investor sentiment. American Express Outlook Remains Positive Despite Recent Volatility
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader analyst insight pieces discuss the financial sector generally and include AXP in comparative coverage—useful context but not an immediate catalyst by itself. Analysts Offer Insights on Financial Companies
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro market coverage (Dow weakness amid geopolitical tensions) is weighing on risk appetite broadly; this could limit upside for payment stocks even as company-specific news is positive. Stock Market Today: Dow Drops Amid U.S.-Iran Tensions; Warren Buffett Berkshire Holding Soars (Live Coverage)
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that American Express dropped specific board diversity criteria alongside other large firms have attracted negative ESG and reputational attention; this could draw activist scrutiny and pressure some institutional investors. American Express, Deere Drop Board Diversity Criteria as 78% Disclosure Rate Falls

Insider Transactions at American Express

In other news, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.91, for a total value of $8,346,340.35. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 7,754 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,767,480.14. The trade was a 75.10% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ravikumar Radhakrishnan sold 15,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.58, for a total transaction of $5,348,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 8,945 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,189,608.10. The trade was a 62.64% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366. Insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

American Express 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.