Stifel Financial Corp Increases Stake in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

Stifel Financial Corp raised its position in shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Free Report) by 2.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 898,732 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 18,135 shares during the quarter. Stifel Financial Corp owned about 0.17% of American Electric Power worth $92,213,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of American Electric Power by 57.2% in the 2nd quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 283 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC bought a new stake in American Electric Power in the third quarter valued at $33,000. LRI Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of American Electric Power by 935.9% during the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 404 shares of the company's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 365 shares during the period. Briaud Financial Planning Inc boosted its position in shares of American Electric Power by 52.1% during the 2nd quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 438 shares of the company's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the 2nd quarter valued at about $48,000. Institutional investors own 75.24% of the company's stock.

American Electric Power Stock Performance

Shares of American Electric Power stock traded down $1.60 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $95.85. 2,676,413 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,114,873. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.22, a PEG ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.55. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 12-month low of $75.22 and a 12-month high of $105.18. 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 company has a fifty day simple moving average of $98.39 and a 200-day simple moving average of $95.90.

American Electric Power Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.93 per share. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 8th. This is an increase from American Electric Power's previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. American Electric Power's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 74.55%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have issued reports on AEP shares. Bank of America increased their price target on American Electric Power from $97.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a report on Thursday, August 29th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on American Electric Power from $109.00 to $104.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of American Electric Power in a research note on Friday, September 20th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $107.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $91.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $98.20.

American Electric Power 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.