	american express axp up on shearson rumors american express co climbed to on rumors the company was about to announce an agreement to sell pct of its shearson lehman brothers unit to nippon blife insurance of japan traders said speculation about an impending deal rumored to be worth mln dlrs also sent shares of other u s brokerages up sharply painewebber group inc pwj gained to and merrill lynch and co inc mer rose to american express officials declined comment but cited a statement it released more than two weeks ago in which it said it was studying matters of strategic importance american express officials also pointed out the earlier statement issued march one said it is company policy not to comment on rumors or speculation the earlier announcement also said american express and shearson were studying options including expansion of capacity to meet international competition and broadening access to capital the latest rumors originated in tokyo traders said if the rumors are true it gives them a nice infusion of capital for an attractive price said lawrence eckenfelder analyst at prudential bache securities reuter 
