American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) Price Target Raised to $149.00

Key Points

• Wells Fargo raised AEP’s price target to $149 from $148 and maintained an “overweight” rating, implying 15.11% upside from the prior close. MarketBeat’s consensus view is “Moderate Buy,” with an average target of $139.
• AEP reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $2.23 versus the $2.04 estimate and revenue of $6.83 billion versus $6.55 billion expected. Revenue increased 13.7% year over year.
• The stock traded around $129.44, while analysts noted both long-term growth opportunities and risks from tighter margins, substantial capital spending, financing needs, and mixed valuation views.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP - Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by stock analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $148.00 to $149.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an "overweight" rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company's price objective would indicate a potential upside of 15.11% from the stock's previous close.

A number of other research analysts have also commented on the company. UBS Group set a $135.00 price target on American Electric Power in a report on Monday, October 19th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on American Electric Power from $128.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 21st. BTIG Research restated a "buy" rating and issued a $153.00 price target on shares of American Electric Power in a research report on Thursday. Citigroup reduced their price objective on American Electric Power from $148.00 to $142.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $146.00 to $139.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 17th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $139.00.

American Electric Power Stock Performance

AEP stock traded up $1.24 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $129.44. The company had a trading volume of 620,758 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,938,564. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.47 billion, a PE ratio of 22.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.48. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $123.20 and a 200 day moving average price of $127.80. The company has a quick ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. American Electric Power has a fifty-two week low of $112.54 and a fifty-two week high of $140.58.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The company reported $2.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.04 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $6.83 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.55 billion. American Electric Power had a return on equity of 9.95% and a net margin of 13.78%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 13.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.80 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that American Electric Power will post 6.40 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at American Electric Power

In other American Electric Power news, CAO Kate Dixon sold 2,000 shares of American Electric Power stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.00, for a total value of $250,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 15,856 shares in the company, valued at $1,982,000. The trade was a 11.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.05% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Electric Power

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter valued at $48,123,000. SFE Investment Counsel acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter worth $576,000. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Electric Power by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 612,026 shares of the company's stock worth $72,611,000 after purchasing an additional 15,709 shares in the last quarter. Vise Technologies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter worth $5,583,000. Finally, Investment Partners LTD. increased its position in shares of American Electric Power by 21.9% in the third quarter. Investment Partners LTD. now owns 21,688 shares of the company's stock worth $2,573,000 after purchasing an additional 3,896 shares during the period. 75.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting American Electric Power

Here are the key news stories impacting American Electric Power this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q3 results exceeded expectations. AEP reported operating EPS of $2.23, ahead of the $2.04 consensus and up from $1.80 a year earlier. Revenue rose 13.7% year over year to $6.83 billion, surpassing the $6.55 billion estimate. GAAP EPS was $2.18. American Electric Power's Q3 Operating Earnings, Revenue Rise; Provides Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised confidence in 2026 earnings. AEP expects full-year operating EPS to reach at least the high end of its $6.25-$6.55 guidance range, supported by higher earnings in the quarter. AEP Reports Third-Quarter 2026 Earnings, Expands Capital Plan and Increases Growth Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: The long-term growth outlook improved. AEP announced a $100 billion five-year capital plan, targeting more than 13% annual rate-base growth through 2031 and 9%-11% annual operating EPS growth from 2027 through 2031. Large-load contracts could provide up to $21 billion in fixed-cost offsets for residential customers. AEP outlines operating EPS growth and capital plan
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst conviction remains limited. Mizuho reiterated a Neutral rating, suggesting the improved outlook may already be reflected in AEP’s valuation. Mizuho Reiterates Neutral Rating on American Electric Power
• Negative Sentiment: Margin pressure is tempering the earnings beat. Despite stronger revenue and EPS, investors are focused on tighter margins, while the $100 billion investment program could increase financing needs and execution risk. American Electric Power Stock Shrugs Off Q3 Earnings As Margins Tighten
• Negative Sentiment: Jefferies lowered its price target to $146, adding to the cautious tone around AEP’s near-term valuation. Jefferies cuts American Electric Power stock target

American Electric Power Company Profile

American Electric Power NASDAQ: AEP is an electric utility holding company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers. Through its operating companies, AEP provides regulated electric service and manages power generation assets using a mix of energy resources, including natural gas, coal, nuclear, hydroelectric and renewable energy.

AEP operates one of the largest electric transmission systems in the United States and supplies electricity across portions of Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

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