Vest Financial LLC Grows Holdings in American Express Company $AXP

Vest Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 5.2% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 156,253 shares of the payment services company’s stock after purchasing an additional 7,763 shares during the period. Vest Financial LLC’s holdings in American Express were worth $51,901,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in American Express in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Access Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Briaud Financial Planning Inc acquired a new stake in American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC raised its position in American Express by 210.7% during the third quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the period. Finally, Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in American Express during the third quarter valued at $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

American Express Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of AXP opened at $356.85 on Wednesday. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $220.43 and a 52-week high of $387.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $368.13 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $341.72. The company has a market capitalization of $245.81 billion, a PE ratio of 23.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.15.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported ($11.85) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.56 by ($15.41). American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The firm had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.91 billion. As a group, equities analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.82 per share. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. American Express’s payout ratio is presently 22.01%.

Key Stories Impacting American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express declared a quarterly dividend on its 3.550% Fixed Rate Reset Noncumulative Preferred Shares, Series D, payable March 15 — a supportive income action for preferred holders. American Express Declares Dividend on Series D Preferred Stock
• Positive Sentiment: Longer‑term positive narratives and buy‑and‑hold endorsements (including coverage naming AXP among top Buffett‑liked/long‑term holdings) keep investor interest in the name despite near‑term volatility. Warren Buffett’s Legacy: 2 of His Favorite Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader commentary on bank and payments stocks is mixed — some analysts and feature pieces revisit AXP’s long‑term case (brand, network effects), which supports conviction for longer‑term investors but doesn’t remove near‑term policy risk. Is 2026 the Year to Buy American Express Stock?
• Negative Sentiment: JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned that a proposed 10% cap on credit‑card APRs would be an “economic disaster,” intensifying investor concern about how a cap could hit card profitability and credit availability across issuers including AXP. JPMorgan CEO Dimon says credit card rate cap will be an economic disaster
• Negative Sentiment: U.S. bank stocks fell as investors weighed the January 20 deadline for a potential 10% APR cap, a market move that pressured AXP and peers. US bank stocks fall as investors weigh credit card rate cap deadline
• Negative Sentiment: Analyses warn a 10% cap could materially hurt card issuers’ margins and trigger broader sell‑offs in financials; that regulatory risk is the primary driver of today’s weakness in AXP. Trump’s Proposed 10% Credit Card Rate Cap Would Hurt – What Dividend Investors Should Do
• Negative Sentiment: Market data show AXP is trading below recent short‑term averages as sellers react to the policy risk and sector weakness. American Express (AXP) Declines More Than Market: Some Information for Investors

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total value of $18,010,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 85,577 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,825,691.17. This represents a 36.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total value of $894,359.15. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 2,515 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $894,359.15. This trade represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on AXP shares. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of American Express from $355.00 to $367.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on American Express from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on American Express from $350.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Wolfe Research started coverage on American Express in a research note on Monday, December 8th. They issued a “peer perform” rating for the company. Finally, BTIG Research reaffirmed a “sell” rating and set a $328.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $353.95.

American Express Company Profile

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.