American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) Sees Significant Drop in Short Interest

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 8,041,941 shares, a drop of 12.1% from the December 31st total of 9,151,837 shares. Approximately 1.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,187,956 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,187,956 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days. Approximately 1.2% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on AXP shares. Morgan Stanley set a $395.00 price target on American Express in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Wall Street Zen cut American Express from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, November 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on American Express from $385.00 to $375.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday. Compass Point restated a “neutral” rating and set a $324.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of American Express from $420.00 to $400.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $352.59.

American Express News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Truist trimmed its price target from $420 to $400 but kept a “buy” rating, signaling continued conviction in AmEx’s long-term earnings power and implying meaningful upside from current levels. Truist lowers AXP target but keeps buy
• Positive Sentiment: Analysis published by Kalkine notes AXP’s momentum appears stable on the NYSE Composite, which supports near-term resilience in the stock amid mixed headlines. Momentum looks stable
• Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan lowered its price target from $385 to $375 and moved to a “neutral” rating — a modest pullback in upside expectations but not a dimming of the company’s core outlook. JPMorgan lowers AXP target
• Neutral Sentiment: A Benzinga piece summarizing analyst expectations outlines mixed views on AmEx’s medium-term growth drivers and consensus estimates; this keeps the stock sensitive to upcoming metric beats/misses (new accounts, spend trends). Analyst expectations for AXP
• Negative Sentiment: Benzinga reports that new card sign-ups have softened and an analyst reiterated a “sell” rating with a $328 target, citing weakening customer-acquisition momentum — a direct growth concern that pressured the stock. New card sign-ups losing steam
• Negative Sentiment: BTIG reaffirmed its “sell” stance with a $328 price target, reinforcing downside risk in some brokers’ view if growth/slowing account trends persist. BTIG reaffirms sell
• Negative Sentiment: Yahoo reports AmEx is weighing a move to 2 World Trade Center, which could increase long-term occupancy costs and signal higher fixed expenses; investors may view this as a potential near-term headwind to margins. Weighs 2 World Trade Center move

American Express Price Performance

AXP opened at $352.95 on Tuesday. American Express has a fifty-two week low of $220.43 and a fifty-two week high of $387.49. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $369.32 and a 200 day moving average of $344.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a current ratio of 1.68. The firm has a market cap of $243.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.93, a PEG ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.15.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.54 by ($0.01). American Express had a net margin of 15.00% and a return on equity of 33.49%. The company had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.91 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.04 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that American Express will post 15.33 EPS for the current year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.82 per share. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is currently 21.31%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Express

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in American Express by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,712 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,233,000 after buying an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 10.0% in the third quarter. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp now owns 308 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $105,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the period. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of American Express by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,214 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $465,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Lantz Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of American Express by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 808 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $299,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the period. Finally, McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in American Express by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,910 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $967,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.