World Investment Advisors Raises Stock Holdings in American Express Company $AXP

World Investment Advisors grew its holdings in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 18.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,626 shares of the payment services company’s stock after buying an additional 1,373 shares during the quarter. World Investment Advisors’ holdings in American Express were worth $2,865,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Access Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in American Express during the second quarter worth $26,000. Briaud Financial Planning Inc purchased a new stake in shares of American Express during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Express during the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new position in American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new stake in American Express in the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at American Express

In other American Express news, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of American Express 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 owned 2,515 shares in the company, valued at $894,359.15. The trade was a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 owned 85,577 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $30,825,691.17. This represents a 36.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 57,515 shares of company stock worth $20,658,509. Insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

American Express Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of AXP stock opened at $381.02 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.61, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. American Express Company has a twelve month low of $220.43 and a twelve month high of $387.49. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $365.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $333.90. The stock has a market cap of $262.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.57, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.14.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported ($11.85) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of ($17,139.00) million for the quarter. American Express had a return on equity of 33.41% and a net margin of 14.97%. As a group, equities analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share 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%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on AXP. BTIG Research increased their target price on American Express from $277.00 to $307.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on American Express in a research report on Monday, December 8th. They set a “peer perform” rating for the company. DZ Bank upgraded American Express from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $340.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Wall Street Zen cut shares of American Express from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, November 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of American Express in a report on Monday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Express presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $335.55.

American Express 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.