Ameren Co. (NYSE:AEE) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Ameren Co. (NYSE:AEE) has been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the ten ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have assigned a hold recommendation, six have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $89.89.

A number of brokerages have weighed in on AEE. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Ameren from $86.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Ameren from $93.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. Mizuho upgraded Ameren from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $82.00 to $89.00 in a report on Monday, September 16th. Barclays increased their price target on Ameren from $77.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Ameren from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, September 20th.

Ameren Stock Down 0.2 %

AEE opened at $88.85 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $23.72 billion, a PE ratio of 20.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.48. Ameren has a twelve month low of $67.03 and a twelve month high of $95.69. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $90.37 and a 200 day moving average price of $84.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37.

Ameren Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 11th were given a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 11th. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.02%. Ameren’s payout ratio is currently 63.06%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ameren

In related news, CFO Michael L. Moehn sold 6,500 shares of Ameren stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.15, for a total value of $598,975.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 205,171 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,906,507.65. This trade represents a 3.07 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.42% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ameren

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Ameren during the 3rd quarter valued at about $44,000. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ameren during the third quarter worth about $49,000. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new position in shares of Ameren in the third quarter valued at approximately $56,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in shares of Ameren in the second quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Ameren during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $74,000. 79.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ameren Company Profile

Ameren Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a public utility holding company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution, Ameren Illinois Natural Gas, and Ameren Transmission. It engages in the rate-regulated electric generation, transmission, and distribution activities; and rate-regulated natural gas distribution business.