American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) Receives Average Recommendation of "Hold" from Brokerages

Shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of "Hold" from the thirteen analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have given a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $108.31.

A number of analysts have weighed in on AEP shares. Barclays increased their price target on American Electric Power from $95.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Guggenheim lifted their price target on American Electric Power from $109.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on American Electric Power from $111.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on 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. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on American Electric Power from $102.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th.

American Electric Power Stock Performance

Shares of American Electric Power stock opened at $102.46 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $54.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.42. The stock's 50-day moving average is $103.61 and its 200-day moving average is $101.48. American Electric Power has a one year low of $86.83 and a one year high of $110.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 0.42 and a quick ratio of 0.31.

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

American Electric Power Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th were paid a $0.93 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 9th. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.63%. American Electric Power's dividend payout ratio is presently 71.68%.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Electric Power

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ purchased a new position in shares of American Electric Power during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in American Electric Power in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new stake in American Electric Power in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Bank of New Hampshire bought a new stake in American Electric Power in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Bayforest Capital Ltd bought a new stake in American Electric Power in the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. Institutional investors 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.

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