Cibc World Markets Corp Purchases 5,930 Shares of Ameren Co. (NYSE:AEE)

Cibc World Markets Corp raised its holdings in shares of Ameren Co. (NYSE:AEE - Free Report) by 16.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 42,114 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 5,930 shares during the period. Cibc World Markets Corp's holdings in Ameren were worth $3,754,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CWA Asset Management Group LLC raised its holdings in Ameren by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 4,786 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $427,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB increased its position in Ameren by 16.3% in the fourth quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 980 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $87,000 after buying an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its stake in shares of Ameren by 1.7% in the third quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 9,110 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $797,000 after buying an additional 153 shares during the period. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC lifted its position in shares of Ameren by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC now owns 7,665 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $683,000 after buying an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. grew its stake in shares of Ameren by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 43,666 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $3,892,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares during the period. 79.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Craig S. Ivey sold 2,716 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.27, for a total value of $266,901.32. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 14,495 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,424,423.65. This represents a 15.78 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Shawn E. Schukar sold 4,743 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.79, for a total value of $492,275.97. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 57,486 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,966,471.94. This trade represents a 7.62 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 12,959 shares of company stock worth $1,316,712. Corporate insiders own 0.42% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AEE has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Ameren from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Ameren from $97.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday. UBS Group increased their price target on Ameren from $106.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday. Barclays upped their price objective on Ameren from $95.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised Ameren from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and lifted their target price for the company from $89.00 to $104.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $96.70.

Ameren Price Performance

NYSE AEE traded down $0.03 during trading on Monday, hitting $98.88. 1,146,679 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,438,066. The company has a market capitalization of $26.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.48. Ameren Co. has a 12-month low of $69.39 and a 12-month high of $104.10. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $96.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of $91.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41.

Ameren (NYSE:AEE - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The utilities provider reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.83 by ($0.06). Ameren had a return on equity of 10.34% and a net margin of 15.51%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.60 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Ameren Co. will post 4.93 EPS for the current year.

Ameren Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 11th will be given a dividend of $0.71 per share. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.87%. This is a boost from Ameren's previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 11th. Ameren's dividend payout ratio is currently 64.25%.

About Ameren

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.