China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. Grows Stock Holdings in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Free Report) by 52.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,170 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 4,503 shares during the quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.'s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $1,439,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ purchased a new stake in American Electric Power in the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in American Electric Power in the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new position in American Electric Power in the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Bank of New Hampshire bought a new position in American Electric Power in the first quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Fairway Wealth LLC bought a new position in American Electric Power in the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.24% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AEP has been the topic of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target 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. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $107.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $95.00 to $106.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research note on Friday, June 6th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $108.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Electric Power currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $108.31.

American Electric Power Price Performance

Shares of American Electric Power stock traded down $0.21 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $103.96. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,744,381 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,219,759. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $103.24 and a 200-day moving average price of $102.04. American Electric Power Company, Inc. 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. The stock has a market cap of $55.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.03, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.42.

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

American Electric Power Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th were issued a dividend of $0.93 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 9th. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.58%. American Electric Power's payout ratio is 71.68%.

Insider Activity

In related 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 transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 10,274 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,045,276.76. This represents a 43.96% decrease in their position. The sale 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 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 owned 9,658 shares in the company, valued at $991,683.44. The trade was a 51.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 34,314 shares of company stock worth $3,508,293 over the last quarter. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About American Electric Power

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.