Certuity LLC Invests $245,000 in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

Certuity LLC bought a new position in shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 2,657 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $245,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in American Electric Power during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC acquired a new position in American Electric Power during the third quarter worth about $33,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in American Electric Power during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in American Electric Power during the third quarter worth about $48,000. Finally, Friedenthal Financial acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the third quarter valued at approximately $50,000. 75.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Electric Power Stock Performance

NASDAQ:AEP opened at $100.99 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. The company has a market cap of $53.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.58. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $78.07 and a fifty-two week high of $105.18. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $95.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is $97.90.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.24. American Electric Power had a net margin of 13.48% and a return on equity of 11.41%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.23 EPS. Analysts expect that American Electric Power Company, Inc. will post 5.58 EPS for the current year.

American Electric Power Dividend Announcement

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 paid a dividend of $0.93 per share. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.68%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. American Electric Power’s dividend payout ratio is currently 74.55%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AEP has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $100.00 to $99.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Scotiabank lowered shares of American Electric Power from a “sector outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating and lowered their price target for the company from $105.00 to $102.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. UBS Group increased 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. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $102.00 price target (down from $109.00) on shares of American Electric Power in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, American Electric Power currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $98.00.

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.