MQS Management LLC Takes $913,000 Position in American Express Company $AXP

MQS Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 2,467 shares of the payment services company’s stock, valued at approximately $913,000. American Express comprises about 0.5% of MQS Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest holding.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. grew its stake in shares of American Express by 153.3% during the third quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 76 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Guerra Advisors Inc bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Torren Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

American Express Trading Up 0.7%

AXP opened at $311.98 on Friday. American Express Company has a twelve month low of $281.46 and a twelve month high of $387.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 1.57. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $311.35 and its two-hundred day moving average is $340.69. The firm has a market cap of $212.87 billion, a PE ratio of 19.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.08.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.01 by $0.27. American Express had a net margin of 15.13% and a return on equity of 33.95%. The business had revenue of $14.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.60 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.64 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 17.59 EPS for the current year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, April 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 2nd. This is a positive change from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.71%.

American Express News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts highlighted American Express’s resilient premium spending, strong earnings growth, and expanding lifestyle ecosystem as reasons it may have more upside than PayPal. American Express vs. PayPal: Which Fintech Stock Has More Upside?
• Positive Sentiment: American Express expanded its sports-commerce strategy through a Fanatics tie-up, adding a co-branded card and rewards integration that could support card usage and customer engagement. AmEx Expands Sports Commerce Strategy With Fanatics Tie-Up
• Positive Sentiment: American Express was also mentioned as one of Warren Buffett’s long-term “forever” holdings, reinforcing investor confidence in the company’s durable business model and cash-generating ability. Warren Buffett’s favorite stocks to buy and hold forever
• Neutral Sentiment: Other articles simply reiterated American Express’s status as a Buffett-backed dividend and quality financial stock, which supports the investment case but does not represent a new catalyst. 2 Warren Buffett Stocks That Pay You a Passive Income
• Neutral Sentiment: A broader market piece said weakness in American Express is drawing attention to S&P 500 value stocks, which is more of a commentary on relative valuation than a direct negative company-specific development. American Express Weakness Puts S&P 500 Value In Focus
• Neutral Sentiment: Promotional news about new Hilton and Marriott card offers may support future card sign-ups, but it appears to be routine marketing rather than a major earnings-moving event. New Hilton and Marriott credit card offers — earn up to 175,000 points

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on AXP shares. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of American Express from $323.00 to $322.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Evercore set a $345.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of American Express from $381.00 to $387.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 24th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $395.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Express has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $359.05.

About American Express

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.