Aviva PLC Grows Stake in American Express Company $AXP

Aviva PLC grew its holdings in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 6.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 519,160 shares of the payment services company’s stock after acquiring an additional 30,171 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLC owned about 0.08% of American Express worth $192,063,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AXP. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,464,215,000. Capital World Investors increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 46.7% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 7,515,675 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $2,780,424,000 after acquiring an additional 2,393,340 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of American Express by 27.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,970,416 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,310,515,000 after purchasing an additional 845,283 shares during the period. Amundi boosted its position in shares of American Express by 23.9% in the 3rd quarter. Amundi now owns 2,787,580 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $925,449,000 after purchasing an additional 537,205 shares during the period. Finally, Danske Bank A S acquired a new stake in shares of American Express in the 3rd quarter valued at about $153,292,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently issued reports on AXP shares. Bank of America upped their target price on American Express from $381.00 to $387.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Loop Capital started coverage on American Express in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $389.00 target price for the company. Truist Financial decreased their target price on American Express from $400.00 to $360.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on American Express from $375.00 to $325.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, Freedom Capital raised American Express from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, American Express presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $359.05.

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of AXP stock opened at $318.95 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $217.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.06. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $315.36 and a 200-day simple moving average of $336.06. American Express Company has a 12-month low of $286.15 and a 12-month high of $387.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last released its quarterly earnings results 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 business had revenue of $14.22 billion for 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 company’s revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.64 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.59 EPS for the current year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be issued a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 2nd. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.71%.

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.