Ameren Co. (NYSE:AEE) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Shares of Ameren Co. (NYSE:AEE - Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the ten analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $89.89.

Several research firms have weighed in on AEE. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Ameren from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, September 20th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Ameren from $93.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Ameren in a report on Thursday, September 19th. They set a "buy" rating and a $97.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Ameren from $86.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Finally, Argus raised shares of Ameren to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 19th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Michael L. Moehn sold 6,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.15, for a total transaction of $598,975.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 205,171 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,906,507.65. The trade was a 3.07 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.42% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Ameren in the third quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Ameren in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $49,000. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in Ameren in the 3rd quarter valued at $56,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in shares of Ameren during the 2nd quarter valued at $58,000. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in shares of Ameren during the 3rd quarter valued at $74,000. Institutional investors own 79.09% of the company's stock.

Ameren Stock Performance

Shares of Ameren stock traded down $0.48 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $89.14. 1,285,518 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,562,063. Ameren has a 12 month low of $67.03 and a 12 month high of $95.69. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $90.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $83.83. The company has a market capitalization of $23.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 0.63.

Ameren Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 11th will be paid a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 11th. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.01%. Ameren's dividend payout ratio is 63.06%.

Ameren Company Profile

Ameren Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a public utility holding company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution, Ameren Illinois Natural Gas, and Ameren Transmission. It engages in the rate-regulated electric generation, transmission, and distribution activities; and rate-regulated natural gas distribution business.