Mariner LLC Has $43.38 Million Holdings in American Express (NYSE:AXP)

Mariner LLC increased its position in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) by 3.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 146,179 shares of the payment services company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,838 shares during the quarter. Mariner LLC's holdings in American Express were worth $43,384,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AXP. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in American Express during the fourth quarter valued at $832,000. World Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in American Express by 430.6% in the 3rd quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,765 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $1,292,000 after acquiring an additional 3,867 shares during the period. Keybank National Association OH boosted its stake in American Express by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 349,937 shares of the payment services company's stock valued at $103,858,000 after purchasing an additional 12,364 shares during the period. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 3.1% during the fourth quarter. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI now owns 86,344 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $25,626,000 after buying an additional 2,557 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Edge Capital Group LLC grew its stake in shares of American Express by 20.9% in the fourth quarter. Edge Capital Group LLC now owns 6,451 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $1,915,000 after acquiring an additional 1,113 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the company's stock.

American Express Stock Down 0.6 %

AXP traded down $1.44 during trading on Friday, hitting $251.48. The company had a trading volume of 3,906,748 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,886,649. The company has a quick ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The company has a market capitalization of $176.67 billion, a PE ratio of 17.95, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.16. American Express has a one year low of $218.84 and a one year high of $326.28. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $272.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $287.59.

American Express (NYSE:AXP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The payment services company reported $3.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.47 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $16.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $17.04 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 32.65%. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.33 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that American Express will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 4th will be given a dividend of $0.82 per share. This is a positive change from American Express's previous quarterly dividend of $0.70. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 4th. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.30%. American Express's payout ratio is 22.91%.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In other American Express news, insider Raymond Joabar sold 15,179 shares of the company's stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 23,866 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,492,492.04. This represents a 38.88 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Michael J. Angelakis bought 3,700 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 7th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $269.89 per share, with a total value of $998,593.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 3,700 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $998,593. This represents a ∞ increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.20% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on AXP shares. StockNews.com lowered shares of American Express from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on American Express from $315.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Monness Crespi & Hardt increased their price objective on shares of American Express from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of American Express from $325.00 to $244.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Compass Point lowered their price objective on American Express from $325.00 to $309.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $294.90.

About American Express

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.