Verity & Verity LLC lifted its position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 71.1% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 4,187 shares of the payment services company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,740 shares during the quarter. Verity & Verity LLC’s holdings in American Express were worth $1,549,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Trajan Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in American Express by 30.9% in the 3rd quarter. Trajan Wealth LLC now owns 24,901 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $8,271,000 after buying an additional 5,881 shares during the period. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in American Express by 218.7% in the 3rd quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,540 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $2,837,000 after purchasing an additional 5,860 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in American Express by 11.7% in the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. now owns 82,863 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $27,524,000 after purchasing an additional 8,651 shares in the last quarter. Parr Mcknight Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its stake in American Express by 1,243.9% in the 3rd quarter. Parr Mcknight Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 13,775 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $4,576,000 after purchasing an additional 12,750 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hudson Bay Capital Management LP raised its position in shares of American Express by 159.5% during the 3rd quarter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP now owns 31,611 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $10,500,000 after buying an additional 19,429 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.
American Express Stock Performance
American Express stock opened at $316.55 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.56. American Express Company has a 1-year low of $286.15 and a 1-year high of $387.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $215.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.08. The company’s 50-day moving average is $312.81 and its 200 day moving average is $338.90.
American Express Increases Dividend
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, April 3rd were given a $0.95 dividend. This is an increase from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 2nd. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.71%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of American Express from $425.00 to $415.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of American Express from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 15th. Bank of America increased their price target 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. Finally, Barclays lowered 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 report on Friday, April 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Express currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $359.05.
Read Our Latest Research Report on American Express
More American Express News
Here are the key news stories impacting American Express this week:
- Positive Sentiment: American Express launched a new business card aimed at niche small and midsize businesses, including interior designers, which suggests continued product expansion and a push to deepen relationships with higher-value commercial customers. American Express Targets Niche SMEs With New Interior Designer Business Card
- Positive Sentiment: American Express cardmembers can now tap and ride on more transit systems across Canada, a small but constructive sign that the company is expanding everyday payment usage and improving card utility. American Express Cardmembers Can Now Tap and Ride on More Transit Systems Across Canada
- Neutral Sentiment: Analyst and conference coverage highlighted American Express at Bernstein’s strategic decisions conference and followed up on its strong first-quarter results, reinforcing the view that fundamentals remain solid even as consumers face pressure. American Express Keeps Buy Rating After Stellar Q1, Despite Clouds Over Consumer Confidence
- Neutral Sentiment: Options-market activity has drawn attention, which can signal expectations for a meaningful move, but the article does not provide a clear fundamental catalyst by itself. Do Options Traders Know Something About American Express Stock We Don’t?
- Neutral Sentiment: Several items were mostly background or general-interest pieces about the company’s history, workforce, or Buffett ownership rather than immediate stock drivers. History of American Express: Company timeline & facts
- Negative Sentiment: There was no major negative company-specific news in the latest set, but broader commentary noted ongoing concerns about consumer confidence, which could temper enthusiasm if spending slows. American Express Keeps Buy Rating After Stellar Q1, Despite Clouds Over Consumer Confidence
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.
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