American Express (NYSE:AXP) Expected to Post Earnings of $2.40 Per Share

Equities analysts expect American Express (NYSE:AXP) to post earnings of $2.40 per share for the current fiscal quarter, Zacks reports. Seventeen analysts have made estimates for American Express’ earnings, with the highest EPS estimate coming in at $2.68 and the lowest estimate coming in at $2.20. American Express reported earnings per share of $2.80 during the same quarter last year, which suggests a negative year over year growth rate of 14.3%. The business is expected to report its next earnings results on Monday, January 1st.

On average, analysts expect that American Express will report full-year earnings of $9.80 per share for the current fiscal year, with EPS estimates ranging from $9.52 to $10.25. For the next year, analysts forecast that the business will post earnings of $11.42 per share, with EPS estimates ranging from $10.95 to $12.00. Zacks Investment Research’s EPS calculations are an average based on a survey of sell-side research analysts that cover American Express.

American Express (NYSE:AXP – Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Friday, April 22nd. The payment services company reported $2.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.43 by $0.30. American Express had a return on equity of 33.35% and a net margin of 17.49%. The business had revenue of $11.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.66 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.74 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 29.5% compared to the same quarter last year.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on AXP shares. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded American Express from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $190.00 to $215.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 10th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on American Express in a research note on Thursday, March 31st. They issued a “hold” rating on the stock. Oppenheimer reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, March 23rd. Robert W. Baird restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $175.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research report on Tuesday, April 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded American Express from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $200.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Monday, April 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Express presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $192.26.

In related news, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 48,160 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $178.38, for a total value of $8,590,780.80. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 31,285 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,580,618.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.11% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AXP. Fort Point Capital Partners LLC increased its position in shares of American Express by 0.7% in the third quarter. Fort Point Capital Partners LLC now owns 7,467 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,251,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. increased its position in shares of American Express by 6.9% in the fourth quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 849 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $139,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Associated Banc Corp increased its position in shares of American Express by 0.7% in the fourth quarter. Associated Banc Corp now owns 8,402 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,375,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Ropes Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of American Express by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. Ropes Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 19,599 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $3,206,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Finally, Wesbanco Bank Inc. increased its position in shares of American Express by 1.3% during the first quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. now owns 4,426 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $827,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. 85.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

American Express stock opened at $156.10 on Thursday. American Express has a one year low of $149.88 and a one year high of $199.55. The stock has a market cap of $117.55 billion, a PE ratio of 15.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.63 and a current ratio of 1.63. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $178.51 and a two-hundred day moving average of $175.42.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.33%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 30th. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 20.84%.

About American Express (Get Rating)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services.

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