American Express Company $AXP Shares Sold by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans trimmed its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 0.7% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 520,495 shares of the payment services company’s stock after selling 3,864 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ holdings in American Express were worth $192,215,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in American Express by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,712 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $1,233,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp grew its stake in American Express by 10.0% during the 3rd quarter. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp now owns 308 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $105,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in American Express by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,214 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $465,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Lantz Financial LLC grew its stake in American Express by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 808 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $299,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in American Express by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,378 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $458,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Express Stock Up 1.1%

Shares of NYSE AXP opened at $312.94 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $213.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The business has a 50-day moving average of $310.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of $342.61. American Express Company has a 1 year low of $281.46 and a 1 year high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.01 by $0.27. The company had revenue of $14.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.60 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 33.95% and a net margin of 15.13%.American Express’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.64 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 3rd were issued a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 2nd. This is an increase from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.71%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AXP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Truist Financial lowered their target price on American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on American Express from $425.00 to $415.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. BTIG Research reissued a “sell” rating and set a $285.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Evercore set a $345.00 price target on American Express in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on American Express from $375.00 to $325.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $357.47.

Key American Express News

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express is expanding card acceptance at three Canadian restaurant chains, a move that could increase dining-related transaction volume and strengthen cardmember usage. Can AmEx’s Canada Dining Expansion Drive Higher Card Spend?
• Positive Sentiment: Lowe’s launched a MyLowe’s Pro Rewards American Express Card, adding another co-branded partnership that can broaden AmEx’s merchant reach and support future card spend growth. Lowe’s Pro Card Launch Aims To Deepen Rewards And Undervaluation Story
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary noted that American Express stock outperformed competitors even on a down day, suggesting relative strength rather than a company-specific catalyst. American Express Co. stock outperforms competitors despite losses on the day
• Neutral Sentiment: American Express was included in a broad article about Warren Buffett’s favorite stocks, which may keep investor attention on the name but does not indicate a new business development. Warren Buffett Has Beaten the Market Over a 60-Year Stretch. Here Are 3 of the Billionaire’s Favorite Stocks.
• Negative Sentiment: No major negative company-specific catalyst was reported in the latest items, so recent news does not point to a clear fundamental reason for weakness. American Express Stock: Analyst Estimates & Ratings

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.