Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC Buys 400 Shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC raised its stake in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) by 3.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,500 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the quarter. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC’s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $1,245,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in AEP. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power in the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Electric Power in the third quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Institutional investors own 75.24% of the company’s stock.

American Electric Power Stock Performance

Shares of AEP stock opened at $104.35 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $55.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.58. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 52 week low of $79.16 and a 52 week high of $105.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $96.26 and a 200-day moving average of $98.04.

American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 13th. The company reported $1.24 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.24. American Electric Power had a net margin of 15.08% and a return on equity of 11.27%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.23 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that American Electric Power Company, Inc. will post 5.87 earnings per share for the current year.

American Electric Power Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th will be issued a $0.93 dividend. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 10th. American Electric Power’s dividend payout ratio is currently 66.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Barclays lowered their price objective 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. Bank of America raised shares of American Electric Power from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their target price for the company from $98.00 to $104.00 in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $109.00 to $104.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $108.00 to $100.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Electric Power presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target 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.