Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. Makes New $396,000 Investment in American Express (NYSE:AXP)

Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. purchased a new stake in American Express (NYSE:AXP - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 1,333 shares of the payment services company's stock, valued at approximately $396,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of American Express during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Kennebec Savings Bank bought a new position in shares of American Express during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its stake in shares of American Express by 332.0% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 108 shares of the payment services company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. bought a new position in shares of American Express during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Financial Life Planners bought a new position in shares of American Express during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Institutional investors own 84.33% of the company's stock.

American Express Price Performance

NYSE:AXP traded down $5.94 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $255.38. 4,924,551 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,682,411. The stock's 50-day moving average is $303.89 and its 200-day moving average is $288.29. The firm has a market cap of $179.41 billion, a PE ratio of 18.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. American Express has a twelve month low of $214.51 and a twelve month high of $326.27.

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

American Express Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 4th will be given a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.28%. This is a boost from American Express's previous quarterly dividend of $0.70. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 4th. American Express's dividend payout ratio is 23.41%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AXP has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of American Express from $330.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Compass Point dropped their target price on shares of American Express from $325.00 to $309.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 27th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of American Express from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. HSBC increased their price target on shares of American Express from $270.00 to $294.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on shares of American Express from $350.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, American Express currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $296.38.

Insider Activity

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

American Express 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.