Conning Inc. Increases Stock Position in American Express Company $AXP

Conning Inc. raised its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 187.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,315 shares of the payment services company’s stock after acquiring an additional 10,642 shares during the period. Conning Inc.’s holdings in American Express were worth $5,419,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC raised its position in American Express by 24.4% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,481 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,924,000 after purchasing an additional 1,273 shares during the period. Everpar Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of American Express by 17.2% in the second quarter. Everpar Advisors LLC now owns 918 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $293,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its holdings in shares of American Express by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 9,739 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $3,107,000 after buying an additional 406 shares during the period. Fragasso Financial Advisors Inc raised its holdings in shares of American Express by 6.8% in the 2nd quarter. Fragasso Financial Advisors Inc now owns 1,585 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $506,000 after buying an additional 101 shares during the period. Finally, Balefire LLC lifted its stake in American Express by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter. Balefire LLC now owns 2,326 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $742,000 after acquiring an additional 214 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AXP has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of American Express from $371.00 to $394.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. HSBC set a $295.00 price objective on shares of American Express and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. BTIG Research reiterated a “sell” rating and set a $328.00 target price on shares of American Express in a report on Monday. Compass Point restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $324.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Wolfe Research began coverage on American Express in a research report on Monday, December 8th. They set a “peer perform” rating on the stock. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, American Express presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $352.82.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In other news, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total value of $894,359.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 2,515 shares in the company, valued at approximately $894,359.15. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of American Express stock in a transaction on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total transaction of $18,010,500.00. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer owned 85,577 shares in the company, valued at $30,825,691.17. This represents a 36.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 57,515 shares of company stock worth $20,658,509. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts see upside for AXP based on fundamentals and valuation — a recent report forecasts strong price appreciation for American Express. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for American Express
• Positive Sentiment: Market commentators and some experts recommend buying credit‑card stocks despite the political noise, arguing the industry can absorb regulatory shifts and AXP’s brand/merchant network is a durable advantage. These Experts Say Buy Credit Card Stocks Despite Trump’s Threats
• Positive Sentiment: Analysis pieces argue American Express is well‑positioned to weather a rate cap because of diversified revenue streams and premium customer base. American Express stock well-positioned to weather Trump’s credit-card cap
• Neutral Sentiment: Comparisons with peers (e.g., Burford Capital) and value screens are prompting investors to reassess AXP’s valuation versus alternatives — useful for longer‑term positioning but less immediate market moving. BUR vs. AXP: Which Stock Should Value Investors Buy Now?
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage asking whether the dip is a buying opportunity highlights volatility-driven entry points; useful to investors weighing risk/reward but not a direct catalyst. American Express Stock Dips. Time to Buy?
• Negative Sentiment: Wall Street bankers publicly blasted the proposal, saying a 10% cap would upend card economics; that political risk sent banking and card stocks lower. More top Wall Street bankers blast Trump’s proposal to cap interest on credit card payments
• Negative Sentiment: Bank executives warn a 10% cap would freeze lending and reduce access for many consumers, implying potential volume declines and margin pressure for card issuers like AXP. Wall Street Vs. White House: CEOs Warn Trump’s 10% Credit Card Rate Cap Would Freeze Lending
• Negative Sentiment: Coverage highlights the industry pushback — JPMorgan and other banks say they’d consider legal/political fights; heightened regulatory uncertainty is a near‑term headwind for AXP’s stock. JPMorgan Chase says banks could fight Trump credit card rate cap
• Negative Sentiment: Reports warn a cap could eliminate access for millions, pressuring consumer spending and card volumes — a material risk to card issuers’ growth outlook. Trump’s proposed credit card interest rate cap could curb access for millions Americans

American Express Stock Down 0.1%

American Express stock opened at $357.72 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $246.42 billion, a PE ratio of 24.01, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.59. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $368.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is $340.62. American Express Company has a 1-year low of $220.43 and a 1-year high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported ($11.85) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.56 by ($15.41). American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The business had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.91 billion. On average, sell-side analysts expect that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.82 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.01%.

American Express Company Profile

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.