American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) Hits New 1-Year High – Should You Buy?

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)’s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $108.81 and last traded at $108.79, with a volume of 154555 shares. The stock had previously closed at $107.70.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have weighed in on AEP shares. Guggenheim raised shares of American Electric Power from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $108.00 to $100.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 10th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $91.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on 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. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $98.46.

American Electric Power Trading Up 1.6 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 0.44 and a quick ratio of 0.31. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $98.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $98.46. The firm has a market cap of $58.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.58.

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, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.24. American Electric Power had a return on equity of 11.27% and a net margin of 15.08%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.23 EPS. On average, equities research 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 firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be given a dividend of $0.93 per share. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.40%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. American Electric Power’s payout ratio is presently 66.43%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Electric Power

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of American Electric Power in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ purchased a new stake in American Electric Power in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in American Electric Power in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Fairway Wealth LLC bought a new position in American Electric Power during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC purchased a new position in American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. Institutional investors own 75.24% of the company’s stock.

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.