American Express (NYSE:AXP) had its price target cut by Wells Fargo & Company from $425.00 to $415.00 in a research note released on Thursday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the payment services company’s stock.
A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on AXP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of American Express from $385.00 to $375.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, March 16th. BTIG Research cut their target price on shares of American Express from $328.00 to $285.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 16th. Credit Suisse Group set a $328.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Finally, UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $395.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Express currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $351.20.
Read Our Latest Analysis on AXP
American Express Stock Down 1.2%
American Express (NYSE:AXP – Get Free Report) 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 analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.54 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of ($17,139.00) million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.91 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 33.49% and a net margin of 15.00%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.04 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Analysts predict that American Express will post 15.33 EPS for the current year.
American Express Increases Dividend
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, April 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 2nd. This is a positive change from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. American Express’s payout ratio is currently 24.69%.
Insider Activity
In related news, 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 value of $9,599,024.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 20,394 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,138,103.94. This represents a 57.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the company’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 of the company’s stock, valued at $2,767,480.14. This trade represents a 75.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366 over the last three months. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Express
A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in American Express by 0.8% in the third quarter. Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,712 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,233,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp boosted its holdings in 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 valued at $105,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in 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 boosted its holdings in American Express by 3.6% in the fourth 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 in the last quarter. Finally, McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in American Express by 1.0% in the third quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,910 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $967,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Key American Express News
Here are the key news stories impacting American Express this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Zacks highlights AXP for earnings growth and price strength, naming it a stock to watch — a momentum/earnings-based endorsement that can attract investors. Earnings Growth & Price Strength Make American Express (AXP) a Stock to Watch
- Positive Sentiment: Seasonality study (Benzinga) points to a historical April–June lift for AXP, with a recurring mid‑April buy signal — this creates a short-term technical tailwind for traders. American Express Has A Spring Pattern: History Says April 14 Is The Buy Signal
- Neutral Sentiment: Kalkine reports AXP tracking valuation metrics within the S&P 500 — useful context on relative valuation but not an immediate catalyst. American Express (NYSE:AXP) Tracks Valuation Metrics Within S&P 500 Chart
- Neutral Sentiment: Visa’s push on AI-driven commerce (Intelligent Commerce Connect) is industry‑level news — potential longer‑term competitive pressure, but not an immediate earnings shock to AXP. How Can Visa’s Intelligent Commerce Connect Power AI Agents?
- Neutral Sentiment: MarketBeat / newsletter pieces discuss sector picks and analyst commentary that may shift investor interest into/away from financials; informative but not a direct catalyst. 3 Sectors to Buy While They’re Down and 1 to Walk Away From
- Neutral Sentiment: Globe and Mail roundup and Delta’s strong Q1 revenue both add macro/sector color — Delta’s travel strength supports consumer spend trends that benefit card issuers like Amex. Analysts Offer Insights on Financial Companies: MSCI (MSCI) and American Express (AXP)
- Negative Sentiment: Wells Fargo lowered its AXP price target from $425 to $415 while keeping an Overweight rating — a modest negative signal that trims upside expectations. Wells Fargo Lowers AXP Target, Says Consumer Trends Remain Resilient
- Negative Sentiment: JPMorgan cut its price target sharply (reported from $375 to $325) and moved to a Neutral rating — this is the largest near-term negative catalyst and likely the main driver of selling pressure. American Express price target cut coverage
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.
Further Reading
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