American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) Shares Sold by California State Teachers Retirement System

California State Teachers Retirement System decreased its position in shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Free Report) by 3.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 632,436 shares of the company's stock after selling 23,099 shares during the quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System owned approximately 0.12% of American Electric Power worth $58,330,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ acquired a new stake in American Electric Power during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Fairway Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of American Electric Power during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Electric Power during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.24% of the company's stock.

American Electric Power Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ AEP traded up $0.62 during trading on Friday, hitting $103.15. 3,896,578 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,203,700. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $104.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $100.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 0.44 and a quick ratio of 0.31. The company has a market cap of $55.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.42, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.45. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 1 year low of $85.93 and a 1 year high of $110.48.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP - Get Free Report) last released 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. American Electric Power had a net margin of 15.08% and a return on equity of 11.27%. The firm had revenue of $5.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.33 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.27 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that American Electric Power Company, Inc. will post 5.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Electric Power Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th will be issued a $0.93 dividend. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. American Electric Power's dividend payout ratio is currently 71.68%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AEP has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays increased their price objective on American Electric Power from $95.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on American Electric Power from $114.00 to $113.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $111.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Citigroup boosted 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. Finally, Guggenheim raised their target price 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. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Electric Power currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $105.69.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other American Electric Power news, EVP Quinton S. Lies sold 10,141 shares of American Electric Power 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,658 shares in the company, valued at approximately $991,683.44. The trade was a 51.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.07% 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.