Brian Low Financial Group LLC Acquires Shares of 2,596 American Express Company $AXP

Brian Low Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 2,596 shares of the payment services company’s stock, valued at approximately $862,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. CRA Financial Services LLC raised its position in American Express by 3.2% in the third quarter. CRA Financial Services LLC now owns 1,074 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $357,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. KRS Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of American Express by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. KRS Capital Management LLC now owns 5,602 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $1,861,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Greenup Street Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Express during the 3rd quarter worth $252,000. Highland Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of American Express by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Highland Capital Management LLC now owns 37,125 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $12,331,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares during the period. Finally, Asio Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter. Asio Capital LLC now owns 11,181 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $3,714,000 after purchasing an additional 720 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

American Express Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of AXP opened at $381.02 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $365.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $333.90. American Express Company has a fifty-two week low of $220.43 and a fifty-two week high of $387.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. The firm has a market cap of $262.47 billion, a PE ratio of 25.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.14.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported ($11.85) EPS for the quarter. American Express had a return on equity of 33.41% and a net margin of 14.97%.The company had revenue of ($17,139.00) million for the quarter. Analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Express’s payout ratio is 22.01%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on AXP shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on American Express from $343.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Compass Point reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $324.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, October 20th. HSBC set a $295.00 price target on American Express and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of American Express from $371.00 to $394.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $335.55.

Insider Activity at American Express

In related news, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total transaction of $894,359.15. Following the sale, the insider owned 2,515 shares in the company, valued at $894,359.15. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total value of $18,010,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer owned 85,577 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $30,825,691.17. The trade was a 36.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 57,515 shares of company stock valued at $20,658,509 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

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.