Smith Group Asset Management LLC Purchases 9,794 Shares of American Express Company $AXP

Smith Group Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 6.7% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 155,547 shares of the payment services company’s stock after buying an additional 9,794 shares during the quarter. American Express makes up approximately 2.4% of Smith Group Asset Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position. Smith Group Asset Management LLC’s holdings in American Express were worth $47,050,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter worth about $2,464,215,000. Capital World Investors increased its holdings in American Express by 46.7% during the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 7,515,675 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $2,780,424,000 after buying an additional 2,393,340 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its holdings in American Express by 350.0% during the first quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 1,236,438 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $373,998,000 after buying an additional 961,698 shares during the last quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA raised its position in American Express by 73.8% in the first quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 1,451,606 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $438,975,000 after acquiring an additional 616,498 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in American Express by 7.7% in the fourth quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,850,298 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $2,904,218,000 after acquiring an additional 558,533 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

American Express Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of AXP stock opened at $336.51 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $227.25 billion, a PE ratio of 20.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.04. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $288.34 and a 52-week high of $387.49. The business’s fifty day moving average is $333.51 and its 200 day moving average is $329.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 1.55.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 earnings per share 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 business had revenue of $14.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.70 billion. During the same period last 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. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 17.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be issued a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 2nd. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. American Express’s payout ratio is currently 23.06%.

Key Stories Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support is improving. KBW and Deutsche Bank both assigned Buy ratings to AXP, helping reinforce the view that the recent pullback has created an attractive entry point. American Express Receives a Buy from KBW American Express Gets a Buy from Deutsche Bank
• Positive Sentiment: Card spending and revenue momentum remain healthy. American Express raised its 2026 revenue-growth outlook to 10%, citing continued spending strength. Management plans to reinvest operating gains in customers, technology and strategic capabilities, which analysts view as supportive of longer-term growth. AXP Q2 Earnings Call Highlights Reinvestment Strategy
• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings exceeded expectations. AXP reported quarterly EPS of $4.53 versus the $4.41 consensus, while revenue increased 10% year over year. Analysts also highlighted resilient spending among premium cardholders and maintained optimistic long-term views. American Express Revenue Momentum Could Drive Higher Reinvestment
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation opinions are mixed. One analysis found meaningful upside using an excess-returns model, supported by product changes and partnerships, but noted that AXP’s strong five-year performance has already priced in much of its business strength. Jefferies continues to rate the shares Hold. American Express Stock Still Looks Below Fair Value Today
• Negative Sentiment: Expenses and guidance quality remain concerns. Although earnings beat estimates, analysts cited weaker-than-expected sales and 2026 sales guidance slightly below consensus. Higher reinvestment and operating costs could limit near-term margin expansion. Analysts Cut Forecasts Following Q2 Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Some analysts remain cautious. BTIG downgraded AXP to Sell and lowered its price target to $315, while separate commentary argued investors should wait for a better entry point. BTIG American Express Rating Update

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on American Express from $385.00 to $382.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Evercore set a $370.00 price target on American Express in a research report on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on American Express from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. Finally, HSBC lifted their price objective on American Express from $312.00 to $329.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $372.95.

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.