American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) Shares Acquired by Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC

Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Free Report) by 83.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,780 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,897 shares during the period. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC's holdings in American Electric Power were worth $1,178,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AEP has been the subject of several analyst reports. 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 report on Wednesday, May 7th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $111.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, April 21st. Guggenheim increased their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $109.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $95.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $114.00 to $113.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. 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, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $105.69.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP David Matthew Feinberg sold 8,057 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.94, for a total transaction of $829,387.58. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 26,298 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,707,116.12. This trade represents a 23.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Quinton S. Lies sold 10,141 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,658 shares in the company, valued at approximately $991,683.44. This trade represents a 51.22% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.07% of the company's stock.

American Electric Power Price Performance

American Electric Power stock traded down $0.08 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $101.77. The company had a trading volume of 2,033,925 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,196,236. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 1 year low of $85.93 and a 1 year high of $110.48. 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 capitalization of $54.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.42. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $104.57 and its 200-day simple moving average is $100.93.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $5.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.33 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.27 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that American Electric Power Company, Inc. will post 5.87 EPS for the current year.

American Electric Power Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be given a $0.93 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.66%. American Electric Power's dividend payout ratio is presently 71.68%.

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.