Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards American Express ( AXP ) , and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in AXP usually suggests something big is about to happen.

We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 18 extraordinary options activities for American Express ( AXP ). This level of activity is out of the ordinary.

The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 27% leaning bullish and 38% bearish. Among these notable options, 3 are puts, totaling $163,174, and 15 are calls, amounting to $1,083,132.

Expected Price Movements

Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $250.0 to $350.0 for American Express ( AXP ) over the last 3 months.

Insights into Volume & Open Interest

Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for American Express's ( AXP ) options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across American Express's ( AXP ) significant trades, within a strike price range of $250.0 to $350.0, over the past month.

American Express Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview

Significant Options Trades Detected:

About American Express

American Express ( AXP ) is a global financial institution, operating in about 130 countries, that provides consumers and businesses charge and credit card payment products. The company also operates a highly profitable merchant payment network. Since 2018, it has operated in three segments: global consumer services, global commercial services, and global merchant and network services. In addition to payment products, the company's commercial business offers expense management tools, consulting services, and business loans.

Following our analysis of the options activities associated with American Express ( AXP ), we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.

Present Market Standing of American Express

With a trading volume of 2,424,593, the price of AXP is down by -3.03%, reaching $315.98.

Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.

Next earnings report is scheduled for 0 days from now.

What Analysts Are Saying About American Express

In the last month, 4 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $329.25.

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* An analyst from Truist Securities downgraded its action to Buy with a price target of $350.

* Maintaining their stance, an analyst from JP Morgan continues to hold a Neutral rating for American Express ( AXP ), targeting a price of $307.

* Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from UBS keeps a Neutral rating on American Express ( AXP ) with a target price of $320.

* An analyst from Wells Fargo has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on American Express ( AXP ), which currently sits at a price target of $340.

Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.

If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for American Express ( AXP ), Benzinga Pro gives you real-time options trades alerts.