AQR Capital Management Adds $96M in American Express Company ($AXP)
AQR Capital Management significantly increased its holdings in American Express, nearly doubling its position.
Key Points
- AQR Capital Management added 285,172 shares of American Express, boosting its position by 87% to 613,370 shares, worth about $205.7 million.
- American Express, trading at $335.38, has a market cap of $228.8 billion and a P/E ratio of 20.92, with a 52-week high of $387.49.
- Insiders bought shares recently, and analysts have set new price targets, with Loop Capital initiating coverage with a 'buy' rating and a $389 target.
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AQR Capital Management significantly increased its holdings in American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) according to its latest Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm added 285,172 shares, boosting its position by nearly 87% to a total of 613,370 shares. This position is valued at approximately $205.7 million as of the filing date.
What Changed in AQR Capital Management's American Express Position
AQR Capital Management's decision to increase its stake in American Express reflects a substantial addition of 285,172 shares to its portfolio. Prior to this change, the firm held 328,198 shares. The new total of 613,370 shares marks a growth of nearly 87% in its position, valued at about $205.7 million.
Other Institutional Activity in American Express
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. maintained its substantial position in American Express with 151,610,700 shares, valued at around $45.9 billion. BlackRock, Inc. trimmed its holdings by 432,527 shares, ending with 41,910,309 shares worth approximately $12.7 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC increased its holdings significantly to 33,010,215 shares, valued at about $9.98 billion. Meanwhile, State Street Corp reduced its position by 237,147 shares, holding 29,227,721 shares valued at $8.84 billion. Geode Capital Management, LLC added 1,458,338 shares, bringing its total to 14,166,474 shares, worth about $4.27 billion.
American Express Company Stock Up 1.5%
Shares of American Express (NYSE: AXP) traded at $335.38. The company boasts a market capitalization of $228.8 billion and a P/E ratio of 20.92. The stock has seen a 52-week low of $288.34 and a high of $387.49. Its 50-day moving average stands at $316.99, while the 200-day moving average is $337.28. The company's current ratio is 1.57, with a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 177.85.
$AXP stock price
Daily closing prices, year to date. Not investment advice.
Recent Earnings
American Express reported revenue of $68.81 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 11.6%. The company's net margin was 16.31%, with a return on equity of 34.42%. The next earnings report is scheduled for July 24, 2026.
Earnings drift grade
Outlook vs expectations on the last report — not price action.
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Forward outlook
3 target raises vs 1 cuts.
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EPS & revenue
EPS beat estimates by 5.3%. Revenue beat estimates by 11.0%.
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Profit surprise
Operating income beat by 33 percent.
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Pre-earnings setup
Expectations were about average.
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Analyst signal
3 target raises, 1 target cut.
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Earnings quality
Gross margin up 1.0 points. Operating margin up 14.0 points. Positive free cash flow.
Earnings Call Summary
American Express had a very strong first quarter with revenue growth of 11 percent and earnings per share of $4.28, up 18 percent year over year. Card member spending grew 10 percent, the highest quarterly growth in 3 years, driven by strength in travel and dining. The company is investing heavily in commercial products, artificial intelligence capabilities, and sports partnerships including a new multiyear agreement with the National Football League to become the league's official payments partner.
Guidance American Express reaffirmed full year guidance of 9 to 10 percent revenue growth and earnings per share of $17.30 to $17.90, despite delivering 11 percent revenue growth in the first quarter. The company is reinvesting the outperformance in marketing and technology instead of raising guidance.
Good report. The company beat and showed some forward improvement, with a few meaningful caveats.
Dividend
The company pays an annual dividend rate of $3.80, yielding 1.13%. Its dividend payout ratio stands at 21.29%.
Insider Buying and Selling at American Express Company
Several insiders, including Karen Parkhill and Thomas Baltimore Jr., bought 742 shares each on May 5, 2026. These transactions were not part of any pre-planned trading programs.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
On May 22, 2026, Loop Capital initiated coverage of American Express with a 'buy' rating and a price target of $389. Other firms like Goldman Sachs and B of A Securities have maintained 'buy' ratings, with targets of $400 and $387, respectively. The consensus among 24 analysts is a 'buy' rating, with a mean target price of $361.94.
About American Express
American Express Company, headquartered in New York, NY, operates as a global payments company. It offers a wide range of credit and charge cards, travel services, and financial products to consumers and businesses. Led by CEO Stephen Joseph Squeri, the company employs approximately 76,800 people worldwide.
Bottom Line
AQR Capital Management's increased stake in American Express highlights its confidence in the company's prospects. Investors often track such filings to gauge institutional sentiment. It's important to note that 13F filings are historical and may not reflect current positions.
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