American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) Receives $98.27 Consensus Price Target from Analysts

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) has received an average recommendation of “Hold” from the fifteen ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $98.00.

Several equities analysts have commented on the company. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on American Electric Power from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $109.00 to $104.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of American Electric Power in a report on Friday, September 20th. They set a “hold” rating and a $107.00 price target on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on American Electric Power from $111.00 to $104.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 7th.

American Electric Power Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NASDAQ:AEP opened at $97.59 on Friday. 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 has a 52-week low of $75.22 and a 52-week high of $105.18. The company has a market capitalization of $51.93 billion, a PE ratio of 19.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a fifty day moving average of $99.11 and a 200-day moving average of $95.46.

American Electric Power Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.93 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 8th. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.81%. 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

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in AEP. Tudor Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,331,000. Chelsea Counsel Co. grew its holdings in shares of American Electric Power by 46.1% during the third quarter. Chelsea Counsel Co. now owns 1,110 shares of the company’s stock valued at $114,000 after buying an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power during the third quarter valued at about $3,191,000. Passumpsic Savings Bank bought a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the third quarter worth about $914,000. Finally, Fortem Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of American Electric Power by 11.3% in the 3rd quarter. Fortem Financial Group LLC now owns 2,651 shares of the company’s stock worth $272,000 after acquiring an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. 75.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.