Smead Capital Management Inc. Has $284.28 Million Stake in American Express Company $AXP

Smead Capital Management Inc. trimmed its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 6.5% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 768,431 shares of the payment services company’s stock after selling 53,421 shares during the period. American Express comprises approximately 5.9% of Smead Capital Management Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 3rd largest position. Smead Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in American Express were worth $284,281,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Joseph Group Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. raised its holdings in shares of American Express by 153.3% in the third quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 76 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the period. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Guerra Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Torren Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

American Express Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of NYSE AXP opened at $311.98 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $212.87 billion, a PE ratio of 19.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.08. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $311.35 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $340.69. American Express Company has a 12-month low of $281.46 and a 12-month high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.01 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $14.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.60 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 33.95% and a net margin of 15.13%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.64 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that American Express Company will post 17.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 3rd were given a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 2nd. This is a positive change from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. American Express’s payout ratio is 23.71%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AXP has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Truist Financial reduced their price target on American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Bank of America raised their price objective on American Express from $381.00 to $387.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on American Express from $375.00 to $325.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Barclays reduced their price objective on American Express from $323.00 to $322.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on American Express from $395.00 to $385.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $359.05.

Trending Headlines about American Express

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts highlighted American Express’s resilient premium spending, strong earnings growth, and expanding lifestyle ecosystem as reasons it may have more upside than PayPal. American Express vs. PayPal: Which Fintech Stock Has More Upside?
• Positive Sentiment: American Express expanded its sports-commerce strategy through a Fanatics tie-up, adding a co-branded card and rewards integration that could support card usage and customer engagement. AmEx Expands Sports Commerce Strategy With Fanatics Tie-Up
• Positive Sentiment: American Express was also mentioned as one of Warren Buffett’s long-term “forever” holdings, reinforcing investor confidence in the company’s durable business model and cash-generating ability. Warren Buffett’s favorite stocks to buy and hold forever
• Neutral Sentiment: Other articles simply reiterated American Express’s status as a Buffett-backed dividend and quality financial stock, which supports the investment case but does not represent a new catalyst. 2 Warren Buffett Stocks That Pay You a Passive Income
• Neutral Sentiment: A broader market piece said weakness in American Express is drawing attention to S&P 500 value stocks, which is more of a commentary on relative valuation than a direct negative company-specific development. American Express Weakness Puts S&P 500 Value In Focus
• Neutral Sentiment: Promotional news about new Hilton and Marriott card offers may support future card sign-ups, but it appears to be routine marketing rather than a major earnings-moving event. New Hilton and Marriott credit card offers — earn up to 175,000 points

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.