American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) Given Average Rating of "Hold" by Analysts

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Get Free Report) has received an average rating of "Hold" from the fifteen analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have given a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $98.20.

A number of research firms recently weighed in on AEP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $108.00 to $112.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, October 18th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $97.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $100.00 to $99.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of American Electric Power in a report on Friday, September 20th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $107.00 price target for the company. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $91.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th.

American Electric Power Stock Performance

Shares of AEP traded down $1.65 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $93.45. 759,173 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,098,455. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 0.57 and a quick ratio of 0.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $49.73 billion, a PE ratio of 19.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.55. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $97.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $96.07. American Electric Power has a 52-week low of $75.22 and a 52-week high of $105.18.

American Electric Power Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th were issued a dividend of $0.93 per share. This is a positive change from American Electric Power's previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 8th. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.98%. American Electric Power's payout ratio is presently 74.55%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Electric Power

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in American Electric Power by 57.2% during the second quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 283 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the period. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in American Electric Power by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. now owns 5,286 shares of the company's stock valued at $464,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the period. XML Financial LLC increased its position in American Electric Power by 3.8% in the third quarter. XML Financial LLC now owns 2,921 shares of the company's stock worth $300,000 after buying an additional 106 shares during the period. Garrison Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in American Electric Power by 0.6% in the third quarter. Garrison Asset Management LLC now owns 19,009 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,950,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Roanoke Asset Management Corp NY boosted its holdings in shares of American Electric Power by 2.2% during the third quarter. Roanoke Asset Management Corp NY now owns 5,025 shares of the company's stock valued at $516,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.24% 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.