15 Best Safe Dividend Stocks for 2026

11. American Express Company (NYSE:AXP)

Dividend Yield as of March 16: 1.27%

On March 16, Bank of America analyst Mihir Bhatia lowered the firm’s price recommendation on American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) to $381 from $382. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The update followed the company’s February operating results. Bhatia noted that loan growth slowed slightly on a year-over-year basis. Delinquency performance remained in line with typical seasonal patterns, and loss performance came in slightly better than expected.

Also on March 16, BTIG analyst Vincent Caintic reduced the firm’s price objective on AXP to $285 from $328 and kept a Sell rating on the shares. In a research note to investors, the analyst said Amex’s premium customer base is being eroded by rising competition and by relative weakness among super-prime consumers. He added that the pressure appears more visible among younger white-collar workers. BTIG also said it is disappointed that Amex’s year-over-year revenue growth outlook for 2026 remains unchanged from 2025. The firm pointed out that this comes despite the company launching what it described as the largest refresh of Amex’s flagship product.

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) operates as a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology. Its card-issuing, merchant-acquiring, and card network businesses provide products and services to a wide range of customers. These include consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies, and large corporations around the world.