10 Best “Dogs of the Dow” Stocks to Buy for the Rest of 2026

7. American Express Company (NYSE:AXP)

Short Percentage of Float: 2.09%

Dividend Yield as of May 15: 1.21%

On May 14, Freedom Broker upgraded American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) to Buy from Hold. It also raised its price target on the stock to $370 from $325. The firm said American Express delivered better-than-expected first-quarter results but kept its full-year guidance unchanged despite the strong performance. According to the analyst, that decision “slightly cooled market sentiment.”

During the Q1 2026 earnings call, Chairman and CEO Stephen Squeri said the company started the year on a solid footing. Revenue increased 11%, or 10% on an FX-adjusted basis, while earnings per share rose 18% year-over-year to $4.28. Squeri said the company’s performance and outlook encouraged American Express to increase investments in marketing and technology to support future growth opportunities and maintain momentum.

He also noted that the company signed a multi-year global partnership with the National Football League in March. Under the agreement, American Express will become the league’s official payments partner beginning with the 2026 season.

In addition, Squeri said the company introduced a roadmap for several new commercial products and solutions expected to launch across the U.S. in 2026 for businesses of different sizes. The rollout will begin with the Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card.

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology. Its card-issuing, merchant-acquiring, and card network businesses provide products and services to consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies, and large corporations worldwide.

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