Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. Has $2.54 Million Stock Position in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Free Report) by 64.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 27,507 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 10,823 shares during the quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $2,537,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AEP. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the third quarter worth $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC purchased a new position in American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter valued at about $48,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter valued at about $50,000. Finally, Friedenthal Financial purchased a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the third quarter worth approximately $50,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.24% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $102.00 price objective (down from $109.00) on shares of American Electric Power in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on American Electric Power from $109.00 to $104.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Bank of America upgraded American Electric Power from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $98.00 to $104.00 in a report on Monday, January 13th. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on American Electric Power from $91.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $98.00.

American Electric Power Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AEP traded up $0.43 on Friday, hitting $97.25. 2,728,461 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,164,280. The company's 50 day moving average price is $94.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $96.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $51.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.49, a PEG ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.56. 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 Company, Inc. has a one year low of $75.22 and a one year high of $105.18.

American Electric Power Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 8th were issued a $0.93 dividend. This is a boost from American Electric Power's previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.83%. American Electric Power's dividend payout ratio is 74.55%.

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.