B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG Takes Position in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 17,692 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,815,000.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of AEP. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in American Electric Power by 57.2% in the second quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 283 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC increased its holdings in American Electric Power by 935.9% in the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 404 shares of the company's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 365 shares during the last quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc increased its holdings in American Electric Power by 52.1% in the second quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 438 shares of the company's stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Naples Money Management LLC purchased a new position in American Electric Power in the second quarter valued at $44,000. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in American Electric Power in the second quarter valued at $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.24% of the company's stock.

American Electric Power Stock Performance

AEP traded down $0.49 during trading on Friday, reaching $97.59. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,046,881 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,148,809. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 52-week low of $75.22 and a 52-week high of $105.18. The company's fifty day moving average price is $99.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $95.46. The company has a market capitalization of $51.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 0.57.

American Electric Power Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th will be given a dividend of $0.93 per share. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.81%. This is an increase from American Electric Power's previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 8th. American Electric Power's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 74.55%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently commented on AEP. Barclays increased their target price on American Electric Power from $96.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on American Electric Power in a report on Friday, September 20th. They set a "hold" rating and a $107.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on American Electric Power from $108.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, October 18th. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on American Electric Power from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on American Electric Power from $97.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a report on Thursday, August 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $98.00.

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.