GTS Securities LLC Sells 53,943 Shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

GTS Securities LLC lowered its position in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Free Report) by 94.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,209 shares of the company's stock after selling 53,943 shares during the period. GTS Securities LLC's holdings in American Electric Power were worth $296,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Fairway Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. 75.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Electric Power Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AEP traded up $0.62 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $103.15. 3,896,578 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,203,700. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $104.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $100.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.10 billion, a PE ratio of 18.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.45. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 12 month low of $85.93 and a 12 month high of $110.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 0.44.

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. The company had revenue of $5.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.33 billion. American Electric Power had a net margin of 15.08% and a return on equity of 11.27%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.27 EPS. Equities research 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 business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.93 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.61%. American Electric Power's dividend payout ratio is currently 71.68%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on AEP. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $108.00 to $114.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of 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. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $102.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $111.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $107.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, American Electric Power presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $105.69.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other American Electric Power news, EVP Quinton S. Lies sold 10,141 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,658 shares in the company, valued at $991,683.44. This represents a 51.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate 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.