American Express Company $AXP Stock: Pictet Asset Management Holding SA Increases Position

Pictet Asset Management Holding SA raised its position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 7.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,250,398 shares of the payment services company’s stock after buying an additional 82,790 shares during the quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA owned about 0.19% of American Express worth $380,299,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in American Express during the 2nd quarter valued at about $14,208,662,000. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in American Express by 40.2% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 40,967,262 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $13,857,176,000 after acquiring an additional 11,739,541 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LP purchased a new stake in shares of American Express during the second quarter worth about $253,945,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of American Express during the second quarter worth about $1,263,787,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new stake in shares of American Express during the second quarter worth about $1,138,054,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other American Express news, insider Anna Marrs sold 44,910 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $327.20, for a total value of $14,694,552.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 20,509 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,710,544.80. This represents a 68.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $328.17, for a total transaction of $22,925,956.20. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 9,002 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,954,186.34. This trade represents a 88.59% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 414,171 shares of company stock valued at $137,069,544 over the last quarter. 0.14% of the stock is owned by insiders.

American Express Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of NYSE AXP opened at $321.02 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The company has a 50-day moving average of $316.22 and a 200 day moving average of $325.65. The stock has a market cap of $215.26 billion, a PE ratio of 18.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.09. American Express Company has a 12-month low of $290.97 and a 12-month high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.68 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.50 by $0.18. American Express had a return on equity of 34.19% and a net margin of 15.80%. The firm had revenue of $20.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $20.12 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $4.14 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.600-17.900 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that American Express Company will post 17.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.40%.

Key Stories Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express has reduced its share count by 27% since 2016, while diluted earnings per share increased 352% from Q3 2016 to the latest quarter. The article credits its premium brand and network advantages—long-term strengths that have helped shareholders, rather than a new near-term development. Article: American Express Has Cut Its Share Count by 27% Since 2016
• Positive Sentiment: ETFs recorded $41.8 million in net purchases of AXP shares on Nov. 4, providing a modest signal of institutional demand. Article: American Express Sees $41.8 Million in Net ETF Buying
• Negative Sentiment: A report says American Express insider Laureen Seeger sold 69,860 shares. Insider sales can weigh on sentiment, although the provided report does not give context for the transaction. Article: Insider Laureen Seeger Sells 69,860 Shares
• Negative Sentiment: AXP also had a notable decline in the prior session, but the cited coverage does not specify what drove the move. This recent weakness may be weighing on near-term sentiment. Article: American Express Drops 3.5%

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AXP has been the topic of several research reports. HSBC upped their target price on American Express from $312.00 to $329.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. William Blair reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Friday, October 23rd. TD Cowen lowered their price target on American Express from $338.00 to $335.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 6th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on American Express from $345.00 to $346.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, November 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on American Express in a research note on Thursday, October 8th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $380.00 target price for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, American Express has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $365.22.

American Express Profile

American Express Company is a global payments and financial services company that operates a card-issuing business and a payments network. Its products and services include consumer, small-business and corporate cards, payment processing, lending, travel services and expense-management solutions.

Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company expanded into financial services and became known for its charge cards and travel-related services. Today, it serves cardholders and businesses in the United States and markets around the world, connecting customers, merchants and financial institutions through its network.

Stephen J.