Strategic Family Wealth Counselors L.L.C. Has $1.21 Million Position in American Express Company $AXP

Strategic Family Wealth Counselors L.L.C. boosted its holdings in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 127.2% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 3,440 shares of the payment services company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,926 shares during the quarter. Strategic Family Wealth Counselors L.L.C.’s holdings in American Express were worth $1,212,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. boosted its stake in American Express by 153.3% during the third quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 76 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management acquired a new stake in American Express during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in American Express during the third quarter worth $27,000. Guerra Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in American Express during the third quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC acquired a new stake in American Express during the third quarter worth $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

American Express Stock Down 1.6%

Shares of NYSE:AXP opened at $309.25 on Thursday. American Express Company has a 52 week low of $281.46 and a 52 week high of $387.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 1.57. The company’s fifty day moving average is $310.58 and its 200-day moving average is $342.93. The company has a market capitalization of $211.01 billion, a PE ratio of 19.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.08.

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

American Express Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, April 3rd were issued a $0.95 dividend. 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%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 2nd. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.71%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on AXP shares. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of American Express from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $395.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $415.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $357.47.

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.