Simplicity Wealth LLC Makes New Investment in American Electric Power Company, Inc. $AEP

Simplicity Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 7,002 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $958,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Activest Wealth Management lifted its holdings in American Electric Power by 72.2% during the fourth quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 217 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its stake in American Electric Power by 7,300.0% in the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 222 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Costello Asset Management INC boosted its holdings in American Electric Power by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. Costello Asset Management INC now owns 200 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID increased its stake in American Electric Power by 200.0% during the 4th quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID now owns 231 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Basepoint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 75.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Raymond James Financial reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $144.00 price target on shares of American Electric Power in a research report on Friday, May 8th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reduced their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $148.00 to $143.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $141.00 to $140.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 15th. TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $141.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 15th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price objective on American Electric Power from $148.00 to $142.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $140.71.

American Electric Power Price Performance

AEP stock opened at $125.60 on Monday. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a one year low of $105.70 and a one year high of $140.58. The firm has a market cap of $68.38 billion, a PE ratio of 21.54, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.52. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $131.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $130.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a current ratio of 0.50.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.36 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.48 by ($0.12). American Electric Power had a net margin of 13.78% and a return on equity of 9.95%. The business had revenue of $5.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.34 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.43 EPS. American Electric Power’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. American Electric Power has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.250-6.550 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that American Electric Power Company, Inc. will post 6.37 EPS for the current year.

American Electric Power Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 10th will be given a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 10th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.0%. American Electric Power’s dividend payout ratio is presently 65.18%.

About American Electric Power

American Electric Power (NASDAQ: AEP) is a major investor-owned electric utility headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The company is primarily engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, operating a diverse portfolio of power plants and an extensive high-voltage transmission network. AEP serves retail customers through its regulated utility subsidiaries and provides wholesale power and grid services across multiple regional markets in the United States.

Operations span the full utility value chain: AEP owns and operates generation assets that include fossil-fuel, natural gas, nuclear and hydropower facilities, and it has been adding renewable resources to its mix.