American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) Reaches New 52-Week High - Time to Buy?

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $109.76 and last traded at $108.82, with a volume of 524706 shares. The stock had previously closed at $106.96.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently commented on AEP shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $108.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $107.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Bank of America raised their price objective on American Electric Power from $108.00 to $114.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Guggenheim upgraded American Electric Power from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $102.00 price target (down previously from $109.00) on shares of American Electric Power in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, American Electric Power currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $100.77.

American Electric Power Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46. The company has a market capitalization of $56.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.88, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.43. The company's fifty day moving average price is $103.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $99.30.

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American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The company reported $1.24 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $1.24. American Electric Power had a return on equity of 11.27% and a net margin of 15.08%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.23 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that American Electric Power Company, Inc. will post 5.87 EPS for the current year.

American Electric Power Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th were given a dividend of $0.93 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.52%. American Electric Power's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 66.43%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ acquired a new position in American Electric Power in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in American Electric Power during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC acquired a new stake in American Electric Power during the third quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Fairway Wealth LLC bought a new stake in American Electric Power in the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.