American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) Shares Acquired by Howard Capital Management Inc.

Howard Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) by 3.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 15,110 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 446 shares during the quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $1,394,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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

American Electric Power Stock Up 0.9 %

AEP stock opened at $105.33 on Monday. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a one year low of $79.16 and a one year high of $105.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $56.16 billion, a PE ratio of 18.81, a price-to-earnings-growth 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. The company has a fifty day moving average of $96.51 and a 200-day moving average of $98.07.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The company reported $1.24 EPS for the quarter, meeting 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 prior year, the company earned $1.23 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that American Electric Power Company, Inc. will post 5.87 EPS for the current year.

American Electric Power Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced 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. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.53%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. American Electric Power’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 66.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on AEP shares. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $108.00 to $100.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price 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. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $102.00 target price (down from $109.00) on shares of American Electric Power in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on American Electric Power from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Bank of America raised American Electric Power from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $98.00 to $104.00 in a report on Monday, January 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, American Electric Power 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.