American Express Company $AXP Shares Purchased by GDS Wealth Management

GDS Wealth Management grew its holdings in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 2.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 68,068 shares of the payment services company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,474 shares during the quarter. American Express comprises 1.5% of GDS Wealth Management’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest holding. GDS Wealth Management’s holdings in American Express were worth $22,609,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of AXP. Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its stake in shares of American Express by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,267,377 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $721,525,000 after acquiring an additional 49,593 shares during the period. ZEGA Investments LLC purchased a new position in American Express in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,080,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of American Express by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 1,598,743 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $531,038,000 after buying an additional 4,080 shares during the last quarter. Dempze Nancy E lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 210.2% in the second quarter. Dempze Nancy E now owns 3,459 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,103,000 after purchasing an additional 2,344 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Reliant Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in American Express by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Reliant Investment Management LLC now owns 26,189 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $8,354,000 after buying an additional 480 shares during the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In other news, 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 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 trade represents a 36.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

American Express Stock Down 1.7%

Shares of American Express stock opened at $361.76 on Friday. American Express Company has a twelve month low of $220.43 and a twelve month high of $387.49. The stock has a market cap of $249.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.61, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $368.05 and a 200 day moving average price of $342.47.

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 the consensus estimate of $3.56 by ($15.41). American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The company had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.91 billion. Equities research analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AXP has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. DZ Bank upgraded shares of American Express from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $340.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley set a $395.00 target price on shares of American Express in a report on Tuesday. BTIG Research reiterated a “sell” rating and issued a $328.00 price target on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, January 12th. Credit Suisse Group set a $328.00 price objective on American Express in a report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, UBS Group set a $385.00 target price on American Express in a report on Monday, January 12th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, American Express presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $353.95.

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.