Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC Decreases Stock Holdings in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC lowered its position in shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) by 19.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,338 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,532 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC’s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $585,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in American Electric Power in the third quarter worth $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC bought a new position in American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter worth about $48,000. Friedenthal Financial purchased a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter worth about $50,000. Finally, Decker Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new stake in shares of American Electric Power during the 4th quarter valued at about $49,000. Institutional investors own 75.24% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on AEP. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $109.00 to $104.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 22nd. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on American Electric Power from $108.00 to $100.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on American Electric Power from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a “neutral” rating and set a $102.00 target price (down previously from $109.00) on shares of American Electric Power in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of American Electric Power from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price target for the stock from $98.00 to $104.00 in a research note on Monday, January 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Electric Power has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $98.00.

American Electric Power Price Performance

Shares of AEP opened at $100.35 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $53.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.58. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a twelve month low of $75.22 and a twelve month high of $105.18. 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 firm has a 50 day moving average of $95.10 and a 200 day moving average of $97.70.

American Electric Power Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be given a $0.93 dividend. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.71%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. American Electric Power’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.