Hardy Reed LLC Acquires New Shares in American Express Company $AXP

Hardy Reed LLC acquired a new position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 8,334 shares of the payment services company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,819,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of American Express by 6,600.0% during the fourth quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 67 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management bought a new position in American Express in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Sfam LLC purchased a new stake in American Express during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in American Express during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new stake in American Express during the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

American Express Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AXP opened at $342.27 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.55. The company has a market cap of $231.14 billion, a PE ratio of 20.77, a P/E/G ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.04. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $341.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $327.58. American Express Company has a fifty-two week low of $290.97 and a fifty-two week high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.41 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $14.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.70 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.07% and a return on equity of 34.12%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $4.08 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that American Express Company will post 17.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd were issued a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 2nd. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.06%.

Key Headlines Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Expanded virtual-card capabilities: AXP is making American Express Virtual Cards available through its @ Work platform for U.S. corporate customers. The products offer adjustable spending limits, enhanced fraud protection and easier expense management, potentially increasing commercial-payment volumes and customer retention. American Express expands virtual cards for US commercial customers
• Positive Sentiment: Premium travel ecosystem strengthened: American Express added 350 luxury hotels across 116 countries to the Platinum Card travel program. More curated booking options could improve the value proposition of its premium cards, support spending and help justify annual fees. American Express adds 350 luxury hotels to Platinum Card travel program
• Positive Sentiment: Evidence of loyalty-driven spending: United Airlines’ results highlighted how American Express perks can help capture premium travel spending, even without a United co-branded card. The example supports AXP’s broader strategy of using travel benefits and partnerships to attract affluent customers. Popular legacy airline captures premium spend because of American Express perks
• Positive Sentiment: Constructive analyst outlook: Piper Sandler forecast meaningful appreciation potential for AXP shares, providing a positive signal following the company’s recent earnings beat and continued revenue growth. Piper Sandler Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for American Express Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Capital structure update: AXP issued Series E preferred shares and announced full redemption of Series D preferred shares. The move may improve funding flexibility, but it also adds preferred financing obligations and has limited direct impact on common-share earnings. American Express Issues New Series E Preferred Shares
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst sentiment: Coverage of AXP showed differing views, suggesting valuation and expectations remain areas of debate despite the company’s strong operating trends. Analysts Have Conflicting Sentiments on American Express

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on AXP. BTIG Research cut their price target on American Express from $324.00 to $315.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 27th. DZ Bank raised American Express from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $375.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 18th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on American Express from $396.00 to $405.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, July 13th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of American Express from $385.00 to $382.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $373.32.

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.