American Express Company $AXP Position Trimmed by Swedbank AB

Swedbank AB decreased its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 0.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 364,984 shares of the payment services company’s stock after selling 1,842 shares during the quarter. Swedbank AB owned approximately 0.05% of American Express worth $121,233,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. CogentBlue Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in American Express in the third quarter worth approximately $210,000. Optas LLC lifted its position in shares of American Express by 16.4% during the 3rd quarter. Optas LLC now owns 1,664 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $553,000 after purchasing an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its position in shares of American Express by 82.8% in the third quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 61,736 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $20,506,000 after acquiring an additional 27,963 shares during the period. DAVENPORT & Co LLC grew its position in American Express by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 69,967 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $23,240,000 after purchasing an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Enclave Advisors LLC increased its stake in American Express by 166.6% during the third quarter. Enclave Advisors LLC now owns 3,591 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,193,000 after acquiring an additional 2,244 shares during the period. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Express Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of American Express stock opened at $382.75 on Thursday. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $363.32 and its 200 day simple moving average is $333.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a current ratio of 1.61. The firm has a market cap of $263.66 billion, a PE ratio of 25.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.14. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $220.43 and a 52-week high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported ($11.85) EPS for the quarter. American Express had a return on equity of 33.41% and a net margin of 14.97%.The business had revenue of ($17,139.00) million for the quarter. On average, analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 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 Tuesday, February 10th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is 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 22.01%.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In other American Express news, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer owned 85,577 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $30,825,691.17. This trade represents a 36.88% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total transaction of $894,359.15. Following the sale, the insider owned 2,515 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $894,359.15. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 57,515 shares of company stock worth $20,658,509 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on AXP shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of American Express from $371.00 to $394.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. HSBC set a $295.00 target price on shares of American Express and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. BTIG Research raised their price objective on shares of American Express from $277.00 to $307.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on American Express from $330.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $335.55.

American Express Company 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.