American Express Company $AXP Stock Purchased by ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc.

ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 3.1% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 163,278 shares of the payment services company’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,939 shares during the quarter. American Express comprises 1.4% of ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc.’s holdings in American Express were worth $50,120,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Triangle Securities Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of American Express by 88.2% during the third quarter. Triangle Securities Wealth Management now owns 3,637 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $1,106,000 after purchasing an additional 1,704 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. raised its position in shares of American Express by 56.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 12,788 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $3,889,000 after purchasing an additional 4,621 shares during the last quarter. Hudock Inc. raised its position in shares of American Express by 32.4% during the 3rd quarter. Hudock Inc. now owns 1,895 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $576,000 after purchasing an additional 464 shares during the last quarter. First Pacific Financial lifted its stake in American Express by 663.2% in the 3rd quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 1,595 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $485,000 after buying an additional 1,386 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Reliant Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in American Express in the 3rd quarter worth about $8,076,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

American Express Trading Down 1.1%

AXP opened at $306.57 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $207.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.08. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $322.25 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $325.22. American Express Company has a 1-year low of $290.97 and a 1-year high of $387.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.54.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 analyst estimates of $19.70 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $4.08 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Analysts expect that American Express Company will post 17.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 10th. Investors of record on Friday, October 9th will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.06%.

More American Express News

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express is developing an “Intent Intelligence” framework and “Proof of Intent” token to help ensure AI agents complete only authorized purchases. If adopted broadly, the technology could reduce fraud and disputes, support safer agentic commerce and increase payment volumes. American Express Publishes Intent Intelligence Framework for Trusted Agentic Commerce
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts cited in recent coverage see a consensus price target of approximately $365.63, implying upside from recent trading levels. Other commentary highlights double-digit growth and a below-average valuation multiple, while the company has raised its full-year revenue outlook. American Express Consensus Target Price
• Neutral Sentiment: American Express was named title sponsor of the inaugural Hong Kong Sail Grand Prix. The agreement may strengthen brand visibility and customer engagement, but its direct financial impact is likely limited. American Express Named Title Sponsor of Hong Kong Sail Grand Prix
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst views remain mixed: some see attractive growth at the current multiple, while others question whether the stock price fully reflects the returns generated by the business. This divergence could limit near-term momentum. Analysts Conflicted on American Express
• Negative Sentiment: A reported $350 million AML fine is weighing on the investment case. The penalty raises concerns about compliance costs, regulatory oversight and potential reputational damage, and is a key reason investors may view AXP as below fair value despite its earnings growth. American Express Stock May Sit Below Fair Value as AML Fine Lands

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. Barclays cut their price objective on American Express from $364.00 to $342.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 5th. UBS Group decreased their target price on American Express from $384.00 to $345.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded American Express from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. President Capital lifted their price target on American Express from $359.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on American Express from $400.00 to $410.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $365.63.

American Express Company Profile

American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) is a global financial services company that provides payment, lending, travel and related products to consumers, small businesses and corporate customers. Its offerings include consumer and business charge and credit cards, payment solutions, commercial financing, deposit products and rewards programs.

American Express also operates a worldwide merchant network and provides businesses with payment acceptance services, transaction-processing capabilities and data-driven marketing solutions.