Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Buys 1,995 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 31.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 8,418 shares of the payment services company’s stock after buying an additional 1,995 shares during the quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in American Express were worth $2,882,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Alps Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in American Express by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 5,125 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,702,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the period. a16z Perennial Management L.P. acquired a new position in shares of American Express in the third quarter valued at approximately $205,000. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan increased its stake in shares of American Express by 84.0% during the third quarter. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan now owns 19,102 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $6,539,000 after purchasing an additional 8,721 shares during the period. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in American Express by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC now owns 38,291 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $12,719,000 after purchasing an additional 2,228 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Elyxium Wealth LLC boosted its stake in American Express by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Elyxium Wealth LLC now owns 3,467 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,152,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AXP has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen cut American Express from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, November 9th. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of American Express from $420.00 to $400.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $420.00 target price on shares of American Express in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on American Express from $385.00 to $375.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $353.05.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.91, for a total value of $8,346,340.35. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 7,754 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,767,480.14. This trade represents a 75.10% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.01, for a total transaction of $9,599,024.25. Following the transaction, the insider owned 20,394 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,138,103.94. This represents a 57.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

American Express Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of AXP opened at $359.26 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $368.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $345.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.66. American Express Company has a one year low of $220.43 and a one year high of $387.49. The company has a market cap of $247.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.34, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.14.

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

American Express Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is 21.31%.

American Express News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Truist reaffirmed a Buy on AXP, citing the company’s underlying growth despite rising costs after Q4 — this supports upside expectations from analysts who focus on AmEx’s margin and card‑member trends. Truist Maintains Buy Rating on American Express
• Positive Sentiment: AmEx launched a Flexible Payment Option for small businesses (instant line of credit), which can expand payment volume and merchant relationships — a growth catalyst for loan receivables and fees. AmEx Debuts Flexible Payments for Small Businesses
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and commentators are reassessing AXP’s valuation after double‑digit revenue and earnings growth in the latest quarter and a FY‑2026 EPS guide that implies upside vs. some street estimates. That narrative supports the current uptick. Assessing American Express (AXP) Valuation After Strong Double Digit Revenue And Earnings Growth
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple news services report that brokerages’ consensus rating is Hold, reflecting mixed views — steady fundamentals but limited near‑term upside per some firms. American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) Receives Consensus Rating of “Hold” from Brokerages
• Neutral Sentiment: Robert W. Baird and other outlets reiterate cautious/hold stances; analysts remain broadly optimistic on long‑term cash flows but cautious on near‑term multiples. Robert W. Baird Keeps Their Hold Rating on American Express (AXP)
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary and comparisons (e.g., GBOOY vs AXP) keep AXP on investors’ radar for relative value, but don’t shift consensus decisively. GBOOY or AXP: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?
• Negative Sentiment: A Fool.com piece questions whether AXP is a buy given recent underperformance versus the broader market, a narrative that can cap enthusiasm and limit multiple expansion. Is American Express a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2026?

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.