Private Advisor Group LLC Cuts Holdings in American Express Company $AXP

Private Advisor Group LLC decreased its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 5.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 48,406 shares of the payment services company’s stock after selling 2,979 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC’s holdings in American Express were worth $16,078,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in American Express by 1.3% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 46,425,262 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $14,808,730,000 after acquiring an additional 581,369 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in American Express by 11.1% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,487,316 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $4,282,984,000 after acquiring an additional 1,349,746 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its position in American Express by 1.7% during the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 8,881,546 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $2,950,095,000 after purchasing an additional 146,586 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in American Express during the second quarter worth about $1,897,335,000. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership lifted its stake in American Express by 3.0% during the second quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 4,620,873 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $1,473,966,000 after purchasing an additional 133,439 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

American Express Price Performance

AXP opened at $303.13 on Wednesday. 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 has a market capitalization of $208.13 billion, a PE ratio of 19.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.14. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $348.10 and its 200-day moving average price is $349.48. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $220.43 and a 52-week high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.54 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during 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 business’s revenue was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.04 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current year.

American Express Increases Dividend

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

Insider Activity at American Express

In related news, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated 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 owned 20,394 shares in the company, valued at $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 available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the sale, the insider 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. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 73,944 shares of company stock worth $26,114,366 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on AXP. TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on American Express from $385.00 to $375.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Morgan Stanley set a $395.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of American Express from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Express currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $352.73.

Key Headlines Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America Securities upgraded AXP to a Buy, providing immediate analyst support that can attract buyers and slow declines. American Express (AXP) Receives a Buy from Bank of America Securities
• Positive Sentiment: American Express announced a ~16% dividend increase, boosting income appeal for dividend investors and signaling confidence in cash flow. American Express Is Raising Its Payout by 16%
• Positive Sentiment: U.S. News & World Report credit-card awards included American Express among winners, reinforcing product competitiveness and consumer visibility. U.S. News & World Report Debuts 2026 Credit Card Awards
• Positive Sentiment: Company growth story tied to experiential offerings (sports) and a new World Trade Center HQ highlights strategic revenue channels and brand-building initiatives. American Express Growth Story Links Sports Experiences And New World Trade Center HQ
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry valuation pieces (e.g., Mastercard at ~25.9x P/E) provide peer context—investors are debating whether payments stocks are fairly priced, which can mute conviction on AXP moves. Mastercard at 25.9X P/E: Pricey, But Not Overpriced
• Neutral Sentiment: Several retrospective pieces on long-term returns and Berkshire Hathaway’s stake (Buffett’s exposure to AXP) keep attention on AXP as a long-term holding rather than a near-term trade. Investing $1K in Warren Buffett’s Favorite Bank Stocks
• Negative Sentiment: Short interest rose ~14.3% in February to 9.85M shares (?1.4% of float), increasing potential selling pressure and downside risk if momentum turns negative. (February short interest data reproduced in the news feed.)
• Negative Sentiment: Reserve Bank of India data show AmEx’s active card base in India fell by ~118k year-over-year, signaling regional market share headwinds in a fast-growing market. Foreign banks’ credit card base shrinks as local rivals step up
• Negative Sentiment: Technicals and recent fundamentals are a drag: AXP trades well below its 50- and 200-day moving averages (~$349), and the Jan quarter showed a tiny EPS miss—factors that can amplify selling by momentum/quant strategies.

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.