Zacks reissued their neutral rating on shares of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) in a report released on Monday. Zacks currently has a $48.00 target price on the stock.
Zacks’ analyst wrote, “American Electric Power Company Inc. is one of the largest investor-owned utility holding companies in the country, catering to over 5 million customers spread over 11 states. Historically, however, the company trades at a discount to its large cap electric power utility peers due to its high earnings exposure to industrial customers and its major presence in Ohio. Going forward, the company offers stable earnings through consistent performance in core regulated operations, growth through transmission network expansion and an above average dividend yield. However, tepid economies in a number of its service states restrict opportunities for growth. Also, uncertainty surrounding pending regulatory cases, its predominantly fossil-fuel based generation assets and lower wholesale sales continue to weigh on the valuation of the stock.”
Shares of American Electric Power traded up 0.50% during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $46.56. American Electric Power has a one year low of $36.97 and a one year high of $46.46. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $44.52. The company has a market cap of $22.593 billion and a P/E ratio of 14.53.
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which is scheduled for Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Friday, February 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.47 per share. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.06%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 6th.
Several other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Analysts at Deutsche Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of American Electric Power in a research note to investors on Thursday, February 21st. They now have a $46.00 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at UBS AG raised their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $46.00 to $48.00 in a research note to investors on Wednesday, February 20th. They now have a neutral rating on the stock. Finally, analysts at Barclays Capital raised their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $47.00 to $49.00 in a research note to investors on Tuesday, February 19th. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.
Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, one has issued an overweight rating, and eleven have assigned a hold rating to the stock. The stock currently has a consensus rating of overweight and an average price target of $47.15.
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