Versant Capital Management Inc Acquires 197 Shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) by 57.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 541 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc’s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $50,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AEP. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of American Electric Power by 57.2% in the second quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 283 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC purchased a new stake in American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Reston Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter valued at about $48,000. Finally, Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC purchased a new position in American Electric Power in the third quarter worth about $50,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.24% of the company’s stock.

American Electric Power Stock Up 0.1 %

NASDAQ AEP opened at $92.05 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $95.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $96.54. The company has a market capitalization of $48.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. American Electric Power Company, Inc. has a 52 week low of $75.22 and a 52 week high of $105.18.

American Electric Power Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 8th were given a $0.93 dividend. This is a positive change from American Electric Power’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 8th. American Electric Power’s dividend payout ratio is presently 74.55%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of American Electric Power from $91.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Scotiabank lowered American Electric Power from a “sector outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $105.00 to $102.00 in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on American Electric Power from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Barclays reduced their price objective on American Electric Power from $100.00 to $99.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of American Electric Power from $109.00 to $104.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Electric Power presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $97.13.

American Electric Power Company 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.