Sfmg LLC Takes Position in American Express (NYSE:AXP)

Sfmg LLC purchased a new stake in American Express (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 1,222 shares of the payment services company's stock, valued at approximately $363,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Prospera Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Express in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its stake in American Express by 332.0% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 108 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares during the period. Curio Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in American Express in the 4th quarter worth $37,000. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of American Express in the third quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in American Express during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

American Express Stock Down 1.2 %

Shares of NYSE AXP traded down $3.29 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $275.99. 2,578,048 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,629,267. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 1.57. The stock has a market cap of $193.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.70, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.21. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $296.76 and a 200 day simple moving average of $289.15. American Express has a 1-year low of $214.51 and a 1-year high of $326.28.

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American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 24th. The payment services company reported $3.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.00 by $0.04. American Express had a return on equity of 32.65% and a net margin of 15.36%. On average, analysts expect that American Express will post 15.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.82 per share. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.19%. This is an increase from American Express's previous quarterly dividend of $0.70. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 4th. American Express's dividend payout ratio is 23.41%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Raymond Joabar sold 15,179 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $313.94, for a total value of $4,765,295.26. Following the sale, the insider now owns 23,866 shares in the company, valued at $7,492,492.04. This represents a 38.88 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Michael J. Angelakis acquired 3,700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 7th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $269.89 per share, with a total value of $998,593.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 3,700 shares in the company, valued at $998,593. The trade was a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.12% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Monness Crespi & Hardt lifted their price objective on American Express from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of American Express from $367.00 to $330.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. William Blair reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, January 27th. UBS Group lifted their target price on American Express from $283.00 to $320.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Finally, Compass Point decreased their price objective on shares of American Express from $325.00 to $309.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 27th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $302.57.

American Express Company Profile

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services.