Woodward Diversified Capital LLC Sells 1,791 Shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP)

Woodward Diversified Capital LLC trimmed its position in shares of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEP) by 40.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,653 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,791 shares during the quarter. Woodward Diversified Capital LLC’s holdings in American Electric Power were worth $245,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in AEP. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in American Electric Power in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Electric Power in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Reston Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in American Electric Power during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. purchased a new position in American Electric Power during the fourth quarter valued at $49,000. Finally, Friedenthal Financial bought a new stake in American Electric Power in the third quarter worth $50,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.24% of the company’s stock.

American Electric Power Price Performance

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

American Electric Power Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.93 per share. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.71%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. American Electric Power’s dividend payout ratio is presently 74.55%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AEP has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on 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. Bank of America upgraded shares of American Electric Power from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $98.00 to $104.00 in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of American Electric Power from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $102.00 price objective (down from $109.00) on shares of American Electric Power in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, 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. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $98.00.

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.