Stocks Decline on Last Trading Day of February
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 27 2026
0mins
Should l Buy AXP?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Unexpected Inflation Data: On the last trading day of February, a stronger-than-expected Producer Price Index (PPI) reading spooked the markets, heightening investor concerns about future economic growth and triggering a sell-off in stocks.
- Rising Credit Risks: The announcement of dividend cuts by two business development companies further exacerbated fears of credit risk, undermining investor confidence in financial stability and contributing to a broad market decline.
- Deteriorating Market Sentiment: The dual pressures of inflation and credit risk led to significantly lower investor sentiment, with markets adopting a cautious outlook on the economic prospects for the coming months, potentially affecting future investment decisions.
- Increased Trading Volume: Amid heightened market volatility, trading volumes surged, reflecting investors' attempts to adjust their portfolios in response to the prevailing uncertainties and potential risks.
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Analyst Views on AXP
Wall Street analysts forecast AXP stock price to rise
21 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
12 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 301.450
Low
280.00
Averages
379.06
High
425.00
Current: 301.450
Low
280.00
Averages
379.06
High
425.00
About AXP
American Express Company is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology. Its card-issuing, merchant-acquiring and card network businesses offer products and services to a broad range of customers, including consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies and large corporations around the world. Its range of products and services includes credit and charge cards and complementary products and services, including travel, dining, lifestyle and expense management products and services; banking and other payment and financing products and services, including deposits and non-card lending; merchant acquisition and processing, servicing and settlement, fraud prevention, and point-of-sale marketing and information products and services, and network services. These products and services are offered through various channels, including mobile and online applications, affiliate marketing, customer referral programs, third-party service providers, and business partners.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- American Express Resilience: Berkshire built its 22% stake in American Express between 1991 and 1995, and despite economic challenges, the company maintains strong customer loyalty and consistent profit growth, expected to continue outperforming the S&P 500.
- Coca-Cola's Dividend King Status: Berkshire holds a 9.3% stake in Coca-Cola, and since investing in 1988, the stock has delivered a total return of 3,580%, which, while below the S&P 500, is supported by consistent dividend growth, making it a cornerstone for long-term investment.
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See More
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- Dividend Increase: American Express has raised its quarterly dividend by 16%, bringing the payout to $0.95 per share, reflecting strong cash flow and a payout ratio below 25%, providing ample room for future dividend hikes.
- Strong Earnings Performance: In 2025, the company reported a 10% revenue increase to $72.2 billion, with earnings per share reaching $15.38, a 15% year-over-year growth, demonstrating robust profitability amid resilient consumer spending.
- Share Buyback Program: In 2025, American Express returned $7.6 billion to shareholders, with approximately $5.3 billion allocated for share repurchases, reducing the share count by about 2%, which directly boosts earnings per share and enhances shareholder returns.
- Market Appeal: Despite a 20% decline in share price since the start of 2026, trading around $300 with a price-to-earnings ratio of approximately 17, the stock presents an attractive valuation for long-term investors in a high-quality lending institution.
See More
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- Dividend Growth and Buybacks: The board approved a 16% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.95 per share, with an annualized payout of $3.80 reflecting a low payout ratio under 25%, indicating room for future increases, while $5.3 billion was spent on share repurchases in 2025, reducing the share count by 2% and enhancing per-share earnings.
- Enhanced Pricing Power: By raising the annual fee of its flagship Platinum Card by nearly 30% to $895 and adding various lifestyle perks, American Express successfully attracted younger consumers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, thereby strengthening customer loyalty and laying the groundwork for future growth.
- Attractive Valuation: With shares trading around $300, the stock is valued at approximately 17 times the midpoint of management's 2026 earnings guidance, presenting an appealing price-to-earnings ratio for a high-quality lender, offering investors a solid entry point despite potential economic downturn risks.
See More
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- Strong Earnings Growth: American Express reported a 10% revenue increase for 2025, reaching $72.2 billion, with adjusted earnings per share at $15.38, reflecting resilience and profitability amid macroeconomic pressures.
- Increased Shareholder Returns: The board approved a 16% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.95 per share in March, resulting in a 1.3% dividend yield, indicating strong cash flow that supports future dividend growth.
- Aggressive Buyback Program: In 2025, American Express returned $7.6 billion to shareholders, with approximately $5.3 billion allocated for share repurchases, reducing the share count by about 2%, which directly boosts per-share earnings.
- Strong Pricing Power: By raising the annual fee of its flagship Platinum Card by nearly 30% and enhancing lifestyle benefits, the company successfully attracts younger consumers, demonstrating its pricing power and potential for future growth.
See More
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- Price Range Analysis: The XLF ETF has a 52-week low of $42.21 and a high of $56.515, with the last trade at $49.09, indicating volatility and shifts in investor sentiment within the current market.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the current share price to the 200-day moving average provides valuable insights for investors, aiding in the assessment of market trends and potential buy or sell opportunities.
- ETF Trading Mechanism: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) trade like stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on demand, impacting liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in shares outstanding helps identify ETFs experiencing significant inflows (new units created) or outflows (old units destroyed), assessing their impact on underlying assets and market dynamics.
See More
American Express Partners with Chef's Table for Culinary Experiences
- Diverse Partnership Launch: American Express, Resy, and Chef's Table are kicking off a multi-year collaboration in June, introducing a narrative-driven dinner series aimed at providing immersive experiences for food enthusiasts and cardholders, thereby enhancing brand influence.
- Dinner Series Schedule: The first dinner will take place on June 2 in New York, featuring local celebrity chefs and incorporating a live podcast recording to share personal stories and creative philosophies, enhancing guests' understanding and connection to the stories behind their meals.
- Culinary Festival and Awards Ceremony: This summer, the Chef's Table Festival will be held in Park City, Utah, gathering renowned chefs for interactive culinary demonstrations, while the Chef's Table Honors awards ceremony will take place in Las Vegas in the fall, further elevating the brand's status in the culinary world.
- Strategic Market Implications: This partnership not only showcases American Express's commitment to food culture but also enhances its market competitiveness through collaborations with renowned chefs, attracting more high-end customers and driving business growth.
See More
