American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) Shares Purchased by Westside Investment Management Inc.

Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) by 8.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,422 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 114 shares during the period. Westside Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $131,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC purchased a new stake in American Electric Power in the third quarter valued at $33,000. Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter valued at $48,000. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. purchased a new position in shares of American Electric Power during the 4th quarter worth $49,000. Finally, Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter worth about $50,000. 75.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on AEP shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $102.00 price target (down from $109.00) on shares of American Electric Power in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. UBS Group raised their price target on American Electric Power from $91.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Barclays decreased their target price on American Electric Power from $100.00 to $99.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on American Electric Power from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Electric Power currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $98.00.

American Electric Power Stock Performance

Shares of AEP stock opened at $97.49 on Thursday. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 1 year low of $75.22 and a 1 year high of $105.18. 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 has a market cap of $51.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.54, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.56. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $94.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $97.11.

American Electric Power Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be issued a $0.93 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 10th. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.82%. American Electric Power’s payout ratio is 74.55%.

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.