Analysts Set American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) PT at $108.31

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of "Hold" from the thirteen research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have given a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $108.31.

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on AEP shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $107.00 to $114.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $102.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Guggenheim boosted their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $109.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Raymond James Financial started coverage on shares of American Electric Power in a research note on Friday, June 13th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $115.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $114.00 to $113.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd.

American Electric Power Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AEP traded up $0.82 on Thursday, hitting $109.79. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,282,337 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,552,050. The stock's 50-day moving average is $103.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $103.20. American Electric Power has a 12 month low of $89.91 and a 12 month high of $110.51. The company has a market capitalization of $58.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 0.42.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $1.54 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.40 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $5.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.33 billion. American Electric Power had a return on equity of 11.68% and a net margin of 13.73%. The business's revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.27 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that American Electric Power will post 5.87 EPS for the current year.

American Electric Power Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be paid a $0.93 dividend. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 8th. American Electric Power's payout ratio is currently 71.68%.

Insider Transactions at American Electric Power

In related news, EVP David Matthew Feinberg sold 8,058 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.74, for a total value of $819,820.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 10,274 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,045,276.76. This trade represents a 43.96% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Quinton S. Lies sold 10,141 shares of American Electric Power stock in a transaction on Monday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.68, for a total transaction of $1,041,277.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 9,658 shares in the company, valued at $991,683.44. This trade represents a 51.22% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 34,314 shares of company stock worth $3,508,293 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.07% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Electric Power

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Electric Power during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Bank of New Hampshire bought a new position in shares of American Electric Power during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new position in American Electric Power during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Missouri Trust & Investment Co purchased a new position in American Electric Power in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.24% of the company's stock.

American Electric Power Company Profile

American Electric Power Company, Inc, an electric public utility holding company, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity for sale to retail and wholesale customers in the United States. It operates through Vertically Integrated Utilities, Transmission and Distribution Utilities, AEP Transmission Holdco, and Generation & Marketing segments.