Plato Investment Management Ltd Takes $7.70 Million Position in American Express Company $AXP

Plato Investment Management Ltd purchased a new position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 22,911 shares of the payment services company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,704,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cornerstone Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of American Express by 2.9% during the fourth quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC now owns 1,017 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $376,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in shares of American Express by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. now owns 874 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $323,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Dover Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of American Express by 0.4% during the fourth quarter. Dover Advisors LLC now owns 7,977 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $2,951,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Invenio Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in American Express by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Invenio Wealth Partners LLC now owns 776 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $258,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in American Express by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 3,167 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,172,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on AXP. Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, July 13th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of American Express from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Benchmark started coverage on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, July 13th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Freedom Capital raised shares of American Express from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, BTIG Research lowered their target price on American Express from $324.00 to $315.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $373.32.

American Express Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of AXP stock opened at $342.27 on Monday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $341.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $327.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66. The stock has a market cap of $231.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.77, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.04. American Express Company has a twelve month low of $290.97 and a twelve month high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.41 by $0.12. American Express had a net margin of 15.07% and a return on equity of 34.12%. The firm had revenue of $14.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.70 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.08 earnings per share. American Express’s quarterly revenue was up 10.0% 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 17.67 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 2nd. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.06%.

Key Stories Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Expanded virtual-card capabilities: AXP is making American Express Virtual Cards available through its @ Work platform for U.S. corporate customers. The products offer adjustable spending limits, enhanced fraud protection and easier expense management, potentially increasing commercial-payment volumes and customer retention. American Express expands virtual cards for US commercial customers
• Positive Sentiment: Premium travel ecosystem strengthened: American Express added 350 luxury hotels across 116 countries to the Platinum Card travel program. More curated booking options could improve the value proposition of its premium cards, support spending and help justify annual fees. American Express adds 350 luxury hotels to Platinum Card travel program
• Positive Sentiment: Evidence of loyalty-driven spending: United Airlines’ results highlighted how American Express perks can help capture premium travel spending, even without a United co-branded card. The example supports AXP’s broader strategy of using travel benefits and partnerships to attract affluent customers. Popular legacy airline captures premium spend because of American Express perks
• Positive Sentiment: Constructive analyst outlook: Piper Sandler forecast meaningful appreciation potential for AXP shares, providing a positive signal following the company’s recent earnings beat and continued revenue growth. Piper Sandler Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for American Express Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Capital structure update: AXP issued Series E preferred shares and announced full redemption of Series D preferred shares. The move may improve funding flexibility, but it also adds preferred financing obligations and has limited direct impact on common-share earnings. American Express Issues New Series E Preferred Shares
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst sentiment: Coverage of AXP showed differing views, suggesting valuation and expectations remain areas of debate despite the company’s strong operating trends. Analysts Have Conflicting Sentiments on American Express

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.