LifeWealth Investments LLC Takes Position in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

LifeWealth Investments LLC bought a new stake in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 2,945 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $272,000.

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on AEP. Guggenheim raised their price objective on American Electric Power from $109.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target 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. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $107.00 to $114.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Morgan Stanley lowered 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 report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $102.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. One 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, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $105.69.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Quinton S. Lies sold 10,141 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.68, for a total value of $1,041,277.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,658 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $991,683.44. The trade was a 51.22% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.07% of the company's stock.

American Electric Power Price Performance

Shares of AEP stock traded down $1.23 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $101.68. 2,426,004 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,206,825. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $104.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $100.60. The firm has a market cap of $54.32 billion, a PE ratio of 18.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 0.44 and a quick ratio of 0.31. 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 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.40 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $5.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.33 billion. American Electric Power had a return on equity of 11.27% and a net margin of 15.08%. American Electric Power's quarterly revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.27 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that American Electric Power Company, Inc. will post 5.87 EPS 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. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th will be given 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 dividend yield of 3.66%. American Electric Power's dividend payout ratio is currently 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.