Maple Capital Management Inc. Decreases Stock Position in American Express Company $AXP

Maple Capital Management Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 111,689 shares of the payment services company’s stock after selling 3,863 shares during the period. American Express makes up about 2.4% of Maple Capital Management Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest holding. Maple Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in American Express were worth $37,099,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. WBI Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of American Express by 116.5% during the third quarter. WBI Investments LLC now owns 6,581 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $2,186,000 after buying an additional 3,541 shares during the last quarter. Old North State Trust LLC raised its position in American Express by 16.5% in the 3rd quarter. Old North State Trust LLC now owns 1,768 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $587,000 after buying an additional 251 shares during the last quarter. Portus Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in American Express during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,182,000. First Affirmative Financial Network boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 4,792 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $1,592,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 183.3% during the 3rd quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 7,083 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $2,353,000 after acquiring an additional 4,583 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about American Express

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?

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.01, for a total value of $9,599,024.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 20,394 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,138,103.94. This represents a 57.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 23,385 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.91, for a total transaction of $8,346,340.35. Following the sale, the insider owned 7,754 shares in the company, valued at $2,767,480.14. The trade was a 75.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on AXP shares. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of American Express from $420.00 to $400.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Barclays increased their price target on American Express from $355.00 to $367.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Weiss Ratings upgraded American Express from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Credit Suisse Group set a $328.00 price objective on American Express in a report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of American Express in a report on Monday. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $354.86.

American Express Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of AXP stock opened at $300.16 on Wednesday. American Express Company has a 1 year low of $220.43 and a 1 year high of $387.49. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $340.70 and a 200-day moving average price of $348.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.58. The company has a market cap of $206.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.50, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.15.

American Express (NYSE:AXP) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported $3.53 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 prior year, the business posted $3.04 earnings per share. American Express’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Increases Dividend

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

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.