St. Louis Financial Planners Asset Management LLC Acquires New Stake in American Express Company $AXP

St. Louis Financial Planners Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 10,201 shares of the payment services company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,591,000. American Express makes up approximately 1.9% of St. Louis Financial Planners Asset Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in 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 worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of American Express in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Sfam LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Express in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in shares of American Express in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new stake in American Express during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Express Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of NYSE:AXP opened at $342.86 on Friday. American Express Company has a 52 week low of $290.63 and a 52 week high of $387.49. The company’s 50 day moving average is $337.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $328.17. The company has a market cap of $231.54 billion, a PE ratio of 20.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.41 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $14.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $4.08 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Equities analysts predict that American Express Company will post 17.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 2nd. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is 23.06%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Loop Capital started coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Thursday, May 21st. They set a “buy” rating and a $389.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. HSBC upped their price objective on American Express from $312.00 to $329.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Freedom Capital raised American Express from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, Benchmark assumed coverage on American Express in a report on Monday, July 13th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $372.84.

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.