Ieq Capital LLC Sells 2,144 Shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

Ieq Capital LLC lowered its stake in shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) by 12.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,902 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,144 shares during the period. Ieq Capital LLC’s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $1,374,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the third quarter worth about $33,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $48,000. Institutional investors own 75.24% of the company’s stock.

American Electric Power Trading Up 0.9 %

American Electric Power stock opened at $106.29 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $96.80 and a 200 day simple moving average of $98.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $56.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.98, a PEG ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 0.44. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 52 week low of $79.16 and a 52 week high of $107.36.

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

American Electric Power Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be issued a $0.93 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.50%. American Electric Power’s dividend payout ratio is currently 66.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on AEP shares. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $100.00 to $99.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Guggenheim upgraded American Electric Power from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on 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. 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 report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on American Electric Power from $91.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $98.00.

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.