American Express Company $AXP Shares Sold by Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management

Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management lessened its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 15.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 14,702 shares of the payment services company’s stock after selling 2,742 shares during the quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management’s holdings in American Express were worth $4,883,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in American Express during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,897,335,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of American Express by 31,595.9% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,742,009 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $555,666,000 after purchasing an additional 1,736,513 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of American Express by 11.1% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,487,316 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $4,282,984,000 after purchasing an additional 1,349,746 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in American Express by 26.1% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,125,133 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $988,676,000 after buying an additional 646,039 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Provident Trust Co. raised its stake in American Express by 136.6% in the second quarter. Provident Trust Co. now owns 1,108,971 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $353,740,000 after buying an additional 640,214 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Credit Suisse Group set a $328.00 price objective on American Express in a research report on Monday, January 12th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “sell” rating and issued a $328.00 price target on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, February 2nd. TD Cowen reissued a “hold” rating on shares of American Express in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of American Express from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their target price 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. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $352.73.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other American Express news, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 20,394 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,138,103.94. This trade represents a 57.35% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the business’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 completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,754 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,767,480.14. The trade was a 75.10% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366 in the last quarter. 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: Wells Fargo upgraded AXP to a Buy, providing fresh broker support that likely boosted investor confidence and buying interest. American Express (AXP) Receives a Buy from Wells Fargo
• Positive Sentiment: Analyses highlighting healthier January credit metrics and a valuation check have reduced near-term credit risk concerns and supported the stock’s earnings outlook. American Express (AXP) Valuation Check After Healthier January Credit Metrics
• Positive Sentiment: Commentary from independent outlets (Seeking Alpha, The Motley Fool) continues to frame AXP as a durable, long-term growth and dividend name, reinforcing bullish investor sentiment. American Express Outlook Remains Positive Despite Recent Volatility
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader analyst insight pieces discuss the financial sector generally and include AXP in comparative coverage—useful context but not an immediate catalyst by itself. Analysts Offer Insights on Financial Companies
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro market coverage (Dow weakness amid geopolitical tensions) is weighing on risk appetite broadly; this could limit upside for payment stocks even as company-specific news is positive. Stock Market Today: Dow Drops Amid U.S.-Iran Tensions; Warren Buffett Berkshire Holding Soars (Live Coverage)
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that American Express dropped specific board diversity criteria alongside other large firms have attracted negative ESG and reputational attention; this could draw activist scrutiny and pressure some institutional investors. American Express, Deere Drop Board Diversity Criteria as 78% Disclosure Rate Falls

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of AXP opened at $345.99 on Friday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $364.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $348.45. The firm has a market cap of $237.56 billion, a PE ratio of 22.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.14. American Express Company has a 12-month low of $220.43 and a 12-month high of $387.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last issued its quarterly 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 return on equity of 33.49% and a net margin of 15.00%.The business had revenue of ($17,139.00) million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.91 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.04 EPS. The firm’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. As a group, equities analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd were given a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 2nd. American Express’s payout ratio is 21.31%.

American Express 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.