American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) Shares Purchased by Geode Capital Management LLC

Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) by 2.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,808,003 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 283,311 shares during the quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC owned about 2.41% of American Electric Power worth $1,178,174,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have 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 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ purchased a new position in American Electric Power during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Fairway Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the 4th quarter worth $35,000. 75.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Electric Power Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NASDAQ:AEP opened at $108.37 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $57.84 billion, a PE ratio of 19.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $103.23 and a 200 day simple moving average of $99.17. 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 Company, Inc. has a 12-month low of $79.16 and a 12-month high of $109.76.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.24. American Electric Power had a net margin of 15.08% and a return on equity of 11.27%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.23 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that American Electric Power Company, Inc. will post 5.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Electric Power Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th were given a dividend of $0.93 per share. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.43%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. American Electric Power’s dividend payout ratio is currently 66.43%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on AEP shares. Bank of America boosted their price target on American Electric Power from $108.00 to $114.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $102.00 target price (down previously from $109.00) on shares of American Electric Power in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $108.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. Guggenheim raised shares of American Electric Power from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, Scotiabank downgraded shares of American Electric Power from a “sector outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating and cut their target price for the company from $105.00 to $102.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, American Electric Power has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $100.77.

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.