First Bank & Trust Takes $2.24 Million Position in American Express Company $AXP

First Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 6,065 shares of the payment services company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,244,000.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Salvus Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in American Express by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Salvus Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,083 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $4,470,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Eagle Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in American Express by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Eagle Capital Management LLC now owns 6,699 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $2,478,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares in the last quarter. Howard Financial Services LTD. raised its stake in shares of American Express by 6.7% in the 4th quarter. Howard Financial Services LTD. now owns 1,456 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $539,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the period. DAVENPORT & Co LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 70,996 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $26,265,000 after purchasing an additional 1,029 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ARS Wealth Advisors Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 39.9% in the fourth quarter. ARS Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 1,009 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $373,000 after purchasing an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.01, for a total transaction of $9,599,024.25. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 20,394 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,138,103.94. The trade was a 57.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.91, for a total transaction of $8,346,340.35. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 7,754 shares in the company, valued at $2,767,480.14. This trade represents a 75.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

American Express Price Performance

NYSE:AXP opened at $300.23 on Thursday. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $220.43 and a 52-week high of $387.49. The company has a market cap of $206.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.51, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a current ratio of 1.59. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $332.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $347.27.

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

American Express Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 3rd will be issued a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 2nd. This is a boost from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. American Express’s payout ratio is currently 21.31%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on American Express from $385.00 to $375.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Wolfe Research started coverage on American Express in a research report on Monday, December 8th. They set a “peer perform” rating for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, March 16th. Finally, Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, American Express currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $352.95.

Key Headlines Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Launched the new Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card — unlimited 2% cash back (5% on travel via AmEx Travel) in a premium metal design; part of a broader commercial product push that could boost card adoption and spend from small/medium businesses. American Express Unveils New Graphite Business Card
• Positive Sentiment: Company says 2026 will be its most significant year for commercial product expansion — eight new/enhanced products (expense management, corporate cash back, business membership) aimed at growing commercial revenue and stickiness. This signals a multi‑year growth push in higher‑value commercial customers. American Express Launches Graphite Business Card — commercial expansion
• Positive Sentiment: Product refresh for business cards introduces eight enhanced features including AI capabilities — could improve product competitiveness and user engagement as AI-enabled services gain traction. AmEx refreshes business card line with AI features
• Positive Sentiment: CEO Stephen Squeri’s annual shareholder letter highlights strong 2025 performance and a strategic focus on AI and “agentic commerce” (services that transact on customers’ behalf), positioning AmEx to capture new payment flows and deepen commercial relationships. Squeri highlights 2025 and AI strategy
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and industry coverage point to continued momentum in AmEx’s U.S. Consumer Services unit (younger users, rising spend, solid credit trends), supporting longer‑term revenue and margin growth. How AmEx’s U.S. Consumer Services Unit Sustains Growth
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary and price‑prediction pieces are mixed; some outlets publish forecasts and valuation takes that may influence sentiment but contain varying assumptions. AXP Stock Price Prediction
• Neutral Sentiment: Seeking Alpha published a view that AmEx is fairly valued despite spending pressures (an upgrade), reflecting divergent analyst opinions that can mute strong directional moves. Seeking Alpha: Fairly Valued Despite Spending Pressures (Upgrade)
• Negative Sentiment: Truist lowered its price target on AXP to $360, a reminder that some sell‑side analysts see upside capped near current levels; analyst downgrades/target cuts often pressure the stock near re‑rating events. Truist Lowers AXP Price Target to $360

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.