American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) Short Interest Update

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of October. As of October 31st, there was short interest totalling 7,450,000 shares, an increase of 7.0% from the October 15th total of 6,960,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,810,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.7 days.

Institutional Trading of American Electric Power

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in American Electric Power by 57.2% in the second quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 283 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in American Electric Power in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC purchased a new stake in American Electric Power in the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. LRI Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 365 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Briaud Financial Planning Inc grew its stake in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.24% of the company’s stock.

American Electric Power Stock Up 0.2 %

AEP stock opened at $96.49 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $51.34 billion, a PE ratio of 19.34, a PEG ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 0.57. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $99.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $95.32. American Electric Power has a one year low of $75.22 and a one year high of $105.18.

American Electric Power Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th will be given a dividend of $0.93 per share. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is 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 presently 74.55%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently issued reports on AEP. Bank of America lifted their price objective on American Electric Power from $97.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a report on Thursday, August 29th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on American Electric Power from $91.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Guggenheim lifted their price objective on American Electric Power from $81.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on American Electric Power in a report on Friday, September 20th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $107.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on American Electric Power from $111.00 to $104.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $98.27.

American Electric Power Company 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.