Motco Decreases Holdings in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

Motco trimmed its holdings in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) by 1.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 53,794 shares of the company’s stock after selling 529 shares during the quarter. Motco’s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $4,961,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AEP. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Electric Power during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in American Electric Power during the fourth quarter worth $35,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new position in American Electric Power in the fourth quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter valued at about $48,000. 75.24% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Electric Power Price Performance

NASDAQ:AEP opened at $105.16 on Friday. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 12-month low of $79.16 and a 12-month high of $107.84. The firm has a market cap of $56.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.58. The company’s 50-day moving average is $97.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is $98.31. The company has a current ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 13th. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.24. American Electric Power had a net margin of 15.08% and a return on equity of 11.27%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.23 EPS. Research analysts expect that American Electric Power Company, Inc. will post 5.87 EPS for the current year.

American Electric Power Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be given a $0.93 dividend. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 10th. American Electric Power’s dividend payout ratio is currently 66.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AEP has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on American Electric Power from $109.00 to $104.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Bank of America raised American Electric Power from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price objective for the company from $98.00 to $104.00 in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Guggenheim upgraded American Electric Power from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price target 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. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $98.46.

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.