James Investment Research Inc. Sells 27,210 Shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

James Investment Research Inc. decreased its holdings in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) by 69.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 12,010 shares of the company’s stock after selling 27,210 shares during the quarter. James Investment Research Inc.’s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $1,108,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC bought a new position in American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in American Electric Power in the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, Decker Retirement Planning Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the 4th quarter valued at $49,000. Institutional investors own 75.24% of the company’s stock.

American Electric Power Price Performance

American Electric Power stock opened at $101.83 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $54.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.41, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.58. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 12 month low of $79.01 and a 12 month high of $105.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $95.57 and its 200-day moving average is $97.95.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.24. American Electric Power had a return on equity of 11.41% and a net margin of 13.48%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.23 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that American Electric Power Company, Inc. will post 5.58 EPS for the current year.

American Electric Power Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.93 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 10th. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.65%. American Electric Power’s payout ratio is currently 74.55%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays lowered their target price on American Electric Power from $100.00 to $99.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $102.00 target price (down from $109.00) on shares of American Electric Power in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on American Electric Power from $109.00 to $104.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered 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 note on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered their target price on American Electric Power from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price 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.