American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 8,180,000 shares, an increase of 7.2% from the November 15th total of 7,630,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,760,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.0 days.

American Electric Power Stock Performance

American Electric Power stock traded down $0.14 on Friday, reaching $92.71. 1,810,496 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,097,623. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $97.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $96.11. The stock has a market cap of $49.33 billion, a PE ratio of 18.58, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a current ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. American Electric Power has a twelve month low of $75.22 and a twelve month high of $105.18.

American Electric Power Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th were given a dividend of $0.93 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.01%. This is a positive change from American Electric Power's previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. American Electric Power's dividend payout ratio is currently 74.55%.

Institutional Trading of American Electric Power

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in American Electric Power in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in American Electric Power by 57.2% during the second quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 283 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC bought a new stake in American Electric Power during the third quarter worth about $33,000. LRI Investments LLC grew its stake in American Electric Power by 935.9% during the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 404 shares of the company's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 365 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Briaud Financial Planning Inc grew its stake in American Electric Power by 52.1% during the second quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 438 shares of the company's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.24% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on AEP shares. 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 research report on Thursday. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $97.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $104.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, December 2nd. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective 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 analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $97.13.

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.