Comgest Global Investors S.A.S. Purchases 231,649 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Comgest Global Investors S.A.S. grew its position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 616.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 269,256 shares of the payment services company’s stock after acquiring an additional 231,649 shares during the quarter. American Express accounts for 1.6% of Comgest Global Investors S.A.S.’s portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Comgest Global Investors S.A.S.’s holdings in American Express were worth $89,436,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of AXP. Synovus Financial Corp increased its position in American Express by 0.4% in the third quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 28,138 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $9,350,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 25,939 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $9,488,000 after buying an additional 1,188 shares during the last quarter. CenterBook Partners LP raised its position in shares of American Express by 12.0% during the 3rd quarter. CenterBook Partners LP now owns 1,619 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $538,000 after buying an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. Syon Capital LLC grew its position in American Express by 15.1% in the third quarter. Syon Capital LLC now owns 7,919 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $2,630,000 after acquiring an additional 1,037 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Capital Management LLC raised its position in American Express by 4.4% during the third quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 5,692 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,891,000 after purchasing an additional 238 shares during the period. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. TD Cowen restated a “hold” rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley set a $395.00 price target on shares of American Express in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Wall Street Zen cut American Express from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, November 9th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, BTIG Research reissued a “sell” rating and set a $328.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $352.73.

Insider Activity at American Express

In related news, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owned 7,754 shares in the company, valued at $2,767,480.14. This trade represents a 75.10% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Howard Grosfield sold 8,134 shares of American Express stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $346.73, for a total transaction of $2,820,301.82. Following the sale, the insider owned 9,433 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,270,704.09. The trade was a 46.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366. Company insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

American Express Stock Up 0.5%

American Express stock opened at $346.34 on Thursday. American Express Company has a twelve month low of $220.43 and a twelve month high of $387.49. The business has a fifty day moving average of $365.59 and a two-hundred day moving average of $347.80. The firm has a market cap of $237.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.54 by ($0.01). American Express had a net margin of 15.00% and a return on equity of 33.49%. The firm had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.91 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.04 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The firm 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Express’s payout ratio is presently 21.31%.

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.