Certuity LLC Raises Stock Position in American Express Company $AXP

Certuity LLC raised its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 146.3% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 6,747 shares of the payment services company’s stock after buying an additional 4,008 shares during the quarter. Certuity LLC’s holdings in American Express were worth $2,496,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Trajan Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of American Express by 30.9% in the 3rd quarter. Trajan Wealth LLC now owns 24,901 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $8,271,000 after buying an additional 5,881 shares during the period. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of American Express by 218.7% in the 3rd quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,540 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $2,837,000 after buying an additional 5,860 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of American Express by 11.7% in the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. now owns 82,863 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $27,524,000 after buying an additional 8,651 shares during the period. ZEGA Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,080,000. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. grew its position in shares of American Express by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 1,598,743 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $531,038,000 after buying an additional 4,080 shares during the period. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of American Express stock opened at $318.89 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $217.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.89, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.13. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $313.26 and its 200 day moving average is $344.48. American Express Company has a 1 year low of $257.21 and a 1 year high of $387.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.56.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.01 by $0.27. The company 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%. American Express’s revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.64 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 17.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 2nd. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. This is an increase from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on AXP shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $420.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of American Express from $425.00 to $415.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $415.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $325.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $361.05.

Trending Headlines about American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly/earnings commentary reinforces the bull case — Seeking Alpha highlights steady growth and a “maintain buy” view after recent results and management’s FY2026 EPS guide, supporting investor confidence in AXP’s profit outlook. American Express: Earnings Show Steady Growth, Maintain Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst/strategy pieces argue AXP is a long-term value — Zacks profiles American Express as a top value stock based on style scores and fundamentals, which can attract value-oriented buyers. Why American Express (AXP) is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term
• Positive Sentiment: Industry pricing precedent may boost fee revenue — Coverage in TheStreet/Yahoo notes that fee increases by market leaders (AmEx, Chase) set a precedent that could support higher revenues and margins across card issuers if widely adopted. That dynamic supports upside to AXP’s revenue mix. American Express, Chase set a new precedent for credit card fees
• Neutral Sentiment: Comparisons to peers — The Fool compares AXP vs. Bank of America as buy candidates (both Buffett-favorites). Such comparative pieces can drive interest but don’t change AXP’s fundamentals directly. Better Buy Right Now: American Express vs. Bank of America
• Neutral Sentiment: Competitor strength noted — A published roundup praising Mastercard’s low-risk/high-growth profile highlights differences in business models (MA doesn’t extend credit). This reminds investors of competitive dynamics that could influence strategy and multiple expansion. Mastercard (MA): One of the Best Low Risk and High Growth Stocks to Invest In Now
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst caution and short-term sector weakness — Evercore ISI issued a “Hold” on AXP, and a weekly financials wrap listed AmEx among laggards, which can cap near-term upside and contribute to profit-taking. American Express (AXP) Receives a Hold from Evercore ISI Financials wrap: AXP in losers

Insider Activity at American Express

In other American Express news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 8,134 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.73, for a total transaction of $2,820,301.82. Following the transaction, the insider owned 9,433 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,270,704.09. This represents a 46.30% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.91, for a total transaction of $8,346,340.35. Following the transaction, the insider owned 7,754 shares in the company, valued at $2,767,480.14. This represents a 75.10% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 73,944 shares of company stock worth $26,114,366 over the last quarter. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.