Kentucky Retirement Systems Grows Position in American Express Company $AXP

Kentucky Retirement Systems increased its holdings in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 120.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 76,063 shares of the payment services company’s stock after buying an additional 41,578 shares during the quarter. American Express comprises approximately 0.8% of Kentucky Retirement Systems’ portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest position. Kentucky Retirement Systems’ holdings in American Express were worth $23,008,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Keybank National Association OH grew its position in American Express by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 359,261 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $132,909,000 after purchasing an additional 10,495 shares during the period. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd raised its stake in American Express by 34.1% during the 4th quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 139,887 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $51,751,000 after buying an additional 35,533 shares during the last quarter. Country Trust Bank lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 14.0% during the 4th quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 121,774 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $45,050,000 after buying an additional 14,931 shares during the period. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of American Express by 6.2% in the 4th quarter. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp now owns 65,997 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $24,416,000 after buying an additional 3,855 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thames Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of American Express by 189.6% in the 4th quarter. Thames Capital Management LLC now owns 80,463 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $29,767,000 after buying an additional 52,679 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on American Express from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 28th. TD Cowen raised their target price on American Express from $330.00 to $338.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. HSBC boosted their price target on American Express from $312.00 to $329.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of American Express from $340.00 to $386.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Piper Sandler downgraded shares of American Express from an “overweight” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $372.95.

Key Stories Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Jim Cramer characterized the post-earnings decline as a potential buying opportunity, pointing to American Express’ earnings beat, upgraded revenue guidance and continued business momentum. Jim Cramer says American Express’ post-earnings sell-off is a buying opportunity
• Positive Sentiment: American Express reported quarterly EPS of $4.53, above the $4.41 consensus, while revenue increased 10% year over year. Management’s full-year guidance and accelerating card spending support the outlook for continued fee and revenue growth. American Express lifts revenue guidance as card spending accelerates
• Positive Sentiment: KBW and Deutsche Bank maintained bullish views with Buy ratings, while valuation analysis from Yahoo Finance argued that AXP may still trade below its intrinsic value despite its strong long-term performance. American Express receives a Buy from KBW
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and financial comparisons present a mixed picture: American Express benefits from a premium customer base, strong returns and durable card-member retention, but its concentrated lending model carries more credit exposure than diversified financial companies such as Berkshire Hathaway. American Express versus Berkshire Hathaway
• Negative Sentiment: BTIG Research lowered its AXP price target to $315, and Jefferies retained a Hold rating. These cautious calls suggest limited near-term upside after the stock’s substantial multiyear gains and recent earnings-related volatility. BTIG lowers American Express price target
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain concerned that premium valuation, potential changes in consumer credit quality and the possibility that growth expectations are already embedded in the share price could weigh on AXP, explaining the negative market reaction despite solid results. Bank of America versus American Express

American Express Price Performance

NYSE AXP opened at $330.73 on Thursday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $333.92 and its 200 day moving average is $328.98. American Express Company has a fifty-two week low of $288.34 and a fifty-two week high of $387.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 1.55. The company has a market capitalization of $223.35 billion, a PE ratio of 20.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.04.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.41 by $0.12. American Express had a return on equity of 34.12% and a net margin of 15.07%.The business had revenue of $14.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.70 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $4.08 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that American Express Company will post 17.66 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be issued a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 2nd. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.06%.

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.