Conning Inc. Boosts Stake in American Express Company $AXP

Conning Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 18.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,492 shares of the payment services company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,701 shares during the quarter. Conning Inc.’s holdings in American Express were worth $5,291,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of AXP. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,214 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $465,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Lantz Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 808 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $299,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Financial Management Network Inc. grew its position in American Express by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Financial Management Network Inc. now owns 3,740 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $1,394,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co. increased its stake in American Express by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co. now owns 2,620 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $969,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY raised its position in American Express by 2.1% during the fourth quarter. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY now owns 1,400 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $518,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

American Express Price Performance

AXP opened at $350.52 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. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $325.61 and its 200 day simple moving average is $332.21. The firm has a market cap of $239.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.87, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.04. American Express Company has a 1 year low of $288.34 and a 1 year high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.01 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $14.21 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.60 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 33.95% and a net margin of 15.13%.The business’s revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.64 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that American Express Company will post 17.67 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 2nd. American Express’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.71%.

American Express News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: American Express is expanding AI across payments, including new tools and security features, which could improve customer experience, fraud prevention, and long-term growth prospects. Can AmEx’s AI Investments Unlock the Next Phase of Growth?
• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America raised its price target on AXP to $391 from $387 and kept a buy rating, signaling continued confidence in upside from current levels. American Express price target raised by Bank of America Corporation
• Positive Sentiment: Some recent commentary says the stock may be a bargain after its pullback this year, with upcoming second-quarter earnings viewed as a potential catalyst for a rebound. Is American Express Stock a Bargain?
• Neutral Sentiment: American Express also broke ground on its new global headquarters at 2 World Trade Center, a long-term strategic project that supports brand and operational growth but is not an immediate earnings driver. American Express Breaks Ground on New Headquarters at 2 World Trade Center
• Negative Sentiment: Recent articles note AXP has been under pressure this year and fell more sharply than the broader market in the latest session, reminding investors that sentiment is still somewhat fragile ahead of earnings. American Express (AXP) Sees a More Significant Dip Than Broader Market: Some Facts to Know

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AXP has been the subject of a number of research reports. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on American Express from $395.00 to $385.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 16th. 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 upped their target price on American Express from $360.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of American Express from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. Finally, DZ Bank raised shares of American Express from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $375.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Thursday, June 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $368.70.

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.