Russell Investments Group Ltd. Purchases 49,445 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 9.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 585,270 shares of the payment services company’s stock after acquiring an additional 49,445 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd.’s holdings in American Express were worth $216,935,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ibex Wealth Advisors lifted its stake in shares of American Express by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Ibex Wealth Advisors now owns 20,029 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $7,410,000 after purchasing an additional 767 shares during the period. Lombard Odier Asset Management Switzerland SA grew its stake in American Express by 27.3% during the fourth quarter. Lombard Odier Asset Management Switzerland SA now owns 35,999 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $13,318,000 after purchasing an additional 7,720 shares during the period. Clark Capital Management Group Inc. increased its holdings in American Express by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Clark Capital Management Group Inc. now owns 408,348 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $151,068,000 after purchasing an additional 4,020 shares in the last quarter. Unio Capital LLC acquired a new position in American Express in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $18,026,000. Finally, Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in American Express in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $104,000. 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: American Express agreed to buy TheFork for $700 million, adding more than 50,000 European restaurants to its dining network and expanding the company’s premium lifestyle offerings. American Express Expands Dining Ecosystem With TheFork Acquisition From Tripadvisor
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and market commentary suggest the deal could improve AmEx’s competitive positioning in dining and experiences, which may support customer acquisition and cardholder spending over time. Analysts Offer Insights on Financial Companies: Visa (V) and American Express (AXP)
• Neutral Sentiment: BTIG reaffirmed its sell rating on American Express with a $285 price target, signaling lingering valuation concerns despite the recent stock strength.

American Express Price Performance

AXP opened at $341.06 on Wednesday. American Express Company has a 1 year low of $288.34 and a 1 year high of $387.49. 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 company has a market capitalization of $232.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.06. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $317.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $335.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.64 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 17.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be paid a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 2nd. American Express’s payout ratio is presently 23.71%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of American Express from $395.00 to $385.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $325.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Loop Capital started coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Thursday, May 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $389.00 price target for the company. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of American Express from $323.00 to $322.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of American Express from $381.00 to $387.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $359.05.

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.