Portus Wealth Advisors LLC Makes New Investment in American Express Company $AXP

Portus Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 3,557 shares of the payment services company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,182,000. American Express accounts for approximately 1.2% of Portus Wealth Advisors LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 25th largest position.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,897,335,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 31,595.9% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,742,009 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $555,666,000 after purchasing an additional 1,736,513 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in shares of American Express by 27.0% in the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,970,416 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $1,310,515,000 after purchasing an additional 845,283 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of American Express by 1.3% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 46,425,262 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $14,808,730,000 after purchasing an additional 581,369 shares during the last quarter. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in American Express by 46,746.2% in the second quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 542,479 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $173,040,000 after purchasing an additional 541,321 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Express Price Performance

AXP opened at $300.16 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a current ratio of 1.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $206.09 billion, a PE ratio of 19.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.15. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $340.70 and its 200-day moving average price is $348.70. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $220.43 and a 52-week high of $387.49.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.54 by ($0.01). American Express had a return on equity of 33.49% and a net margin of 15.00%.The company had revenue of ($17,139.00) million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.91 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.04 earnings per share. American Express’s quarterly revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 3rd will be paid a $0.95 dividend. This is an increase from American Express’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 2nd. American Express’s payout ratio is currently 24.69%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other American Express news, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.01, for a total transaction of $9,599,024.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 20,394 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,138,103.94. This trade represents a 57.35% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Howard Grosfield sold 8,134 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.73, for a total transaction of $2,820,301.82. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 9,433 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,270,704.09. This trade represents a 46.30% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders sold 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366. Insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AXP has been the subject of a number of research reports. BTIG Research cut their price target on shares of American Express from $328.00 to $285.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of American Express from $420.00 to $400.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $420.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. TD Cowen restated a “hold” rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on American Express from $355.00 to $367.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned 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 $354.86.

American Express News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America reiterated a Buy on AXP after February operating results, trimming its price objective slightly to $381 — the reiteration of a Buy from a major bank supports investor confidence. Bank of America Sees Stable Credit Trends in American Express (AXP) Update
• Positive Sentiment: Several bullish pieces argue AXP is an attractive “dip buy,” pointing to resilient consumer spending, steady earnings growth and the company’s premium franchise — these narratives can attract buy-the-dip flows. American Express Is An Attractive Dip Buy As Growth Continues
• Positive Sentiment: Company credit metrics were reported as broadly stable (only modest deterioration in some consumer/small-business cohorts), which reduces near-term credit concerns for investors focused on card receivables. American Express Reports Stable Credit Metrics Amid Modest Decline
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation debate continues: Zacks notes AXP trades at a premium to peers but below its own five‑year median — important context for investors weighing multiple vs. growth outlooks. Is American Express a Buy Now Despite its Premium Valuation?
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry tech shifts: Visa’s tokenization and digital credentialing trends underscore ongoing payments innovation; this is a sector tailwind but requires execution from AXP to fully benefit. Visa’s Token Strategy: A Quiet Shift Powering Future Payments
• Negative Sentiment: Unusual options activity: traders bought ~43,272 put contracts in one day (≈140% above normal daily put volume), signaling short-term hedging or bearish speculation that can pressure sentiment.
• Negative Sentiment: BTIG cut its price target to $285 and placed a Sell rating — a visible sell-side downgrade that can trigger tactical selling by funds that follow such calls. BTIG Lowers Price Target on American Express
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive pressure: Robinhood’s forthcoming platinum credit card rollout is a potential threat to premium card market share and rewards-driven customer acquisition. Did Robinhood Just Say “Checkmate” to American Express?

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.