EP Wealth Advisors LLC Grows Stock Position in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) by 12.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 11,057 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 1,231 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLC’s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $1,134,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of AEP. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in American Electric Power by 57.2% in the second quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 283 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC purchased a new stake in American Electric Power in the third quarter worth $33,000. LRI Investments LLC increased its stake in American Electric Power by 935.9% in the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 404 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 365 shares during the period. Briaud Financial Planning Inc increased its stake in American Electric Power by 52.1% in the second quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 438 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the period. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in American Electric Power in the third quarter worth $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.24% of the company’s stock.

American Electric Power Price Performance

AEP opened at $95.10 on Wednesday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $98.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $96.03. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 1 year low of $75.22 and a 1 year high of $105.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 0.57 and a quick ratio of 0.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $50.60 billion, a PE ratio of 19.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.55.

American Electric Power Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 8th were paid a $0.93 dividend. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.91%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. This is a positive change from American Electric Power’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. American Electric Power’s payout ratio is 74.55%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AEP has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Scotiabank increased their target price on American Electric Power from $99.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on American Electric Power in a research note on Friday, September 20th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $107.00 target price on the stock. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on American Electric Power from $104.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, December 2nd. Bank of America raised their price target on American Electric Power from $97.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. Finally, Evercore ISI cut their price target on American Electric Power from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $98.20.

American Electric Power 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.