American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) Given Average Recommendation of “Hold” by Brokerages

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) has been assigned a consensus rating of “Hold” from the twenty-five ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, fifteen have assigned a hold recommendation and nine have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $353.0455.

Several analysts have recently commented on AXP shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of American Express from $385.00 to $375.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Wolfe Research started coverage on American Express in a report on Monday, December 8th. They set a “peer perform” rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $420.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Barclays upped their price objective on American Express from $355.00 to $367.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $395.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday.

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of AXP opened at $354.50 on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $368.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $344.74. The company has a quick ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68. American Express has a 52 week low of $220.43 and a 52 week high of $387.49. The stock has a market cap of $244.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.03, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.14.

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

American Express Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed 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. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.31%.

American Express News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: AmEx launched a Flexible Payment Option (instant line of credit) for small businesses — a revenue‑and‑engagement driver in a high‑margin business line that can boost spending and receivables growth. AmEx Debuts Flexible Payments for Small Businesses
• Positive Sentiment: Q4 showed double‑digit revenue and earnings growth, prompting valuation discussions that support a constructive medium‑term outlook if growth persists. This underpins investor interest despite a tiny EPS miss. Assessing American Express (AXP) Valuation After Strong Double Digit Revenue And Earnings Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Several bullish/opinion pieces argue AXP remains a long‑term compounder, highlighting brand, premium card economics, and return on equity as reasons to own. Could Buying American Express (AXP) Today Set You Up for Life?
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks notes heightened investor attention to AXP and summarizes factors to watch (growth, margins, guidance) — useful monitoring signals rather than immediate catalysts. American Express Company (AXP) is Attracting Investor Attention: Here is What You Should Know
• Neutral Sentiment: Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a Hold on AXP, reflecting analyst caution despite solid fundamentals — supports muted near‑term moves. Robert W. Baird Keeps Their Hold Rating on American Express (AXP)
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst roundups highlight that while AXP underperformed the market over the past year, many analysts remain cautiously optimistic — mixed signals for momentum traders. Do Wall Street Analysts Like American Express Stock?
• Negative Sentiment: BTIG issued a Sell rating, adding downward pressure by increasing perceived near‑term risk vs. reward. American Express (NYSE:AXP) Earns “Sell” Rating from BTIG Research
• Negative Sentiment: JPMorgan published a pessimistic forecast for AXP’s share price, feeding short‑term negativity among institutional investors. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Issues Pessimistic Forecast for American Express (NYSE:AXP) Stock Price
• Negative Sentiment: Truist trimmed its price target to $400 — a reduction that signals tempered upside expectations and may limit bullish analyst momentum. Truist Financial Lowers American Express (NYSE:AXP) Price Target to $400.00
• Negative Sentiment: Some market commentary questions whether AXP can regain momentum after recent underperformance, adding caution to near‑term positioning. Is American Express a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2026?

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Express

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. lifted its position in American Express by 153.3% in the third quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 76 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC bought a new stake in American Express in the third quarter worth $27,000. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in American Express during the second quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Briaud Financial Planning Inc bought a new position in American Express during the second quarter valued at $26,000. 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.