Jefferies Cuts American Electric Power (AEP) Price Target to $146
Key Points
- Jefferies maintained its Buy rating on American Electric Power Company, Inc. on October 22, 2026, moving its price target from $148.00 down to $146.00.
- Jefferies's $146 price target implies 11.95% upside from American Electric Power Company, Inc.'s ($AEP) current $130.42 share price.
- The utility posted trailing twelve-month revenue of $22.79 billion alongside basic earnings per share of $5.66 ahead of its upcoming October 28, 2026 earnings report.
- Wall Street maintains a consensus buy recommendation for the stock backed by 21 analyst opinions and a mean price target of $140.69.
Get American Electric Power Company text alerts
We text you when insiders, Congress, analysts or big funds move on $AEP.
By entering your mobile number and tapping the sign-up button, you provide express written consent to receive recurring automated text messages from TradeTexts at that number, including stock alerts about SEC filings, insider and congress trades, analyst ratings, hedge fund moves, and earnings results. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Message frequency varies. Messages are not investment advice. Message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help and STOP to opt out at any time. See our Terms and Privacy Policy.
Not investment advice. TradeTexts is not a registered investment adviser, and this automated American Electric Power Company, Inc. alert may contain errors. Disclosures
On October 22, 2026, Jefferies maintained its Buy rating on American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NasdaqGS: AEP) while adjusting its price target from $148.00 down to $146.00. The research note provides a forward-looking perspective on the utility holding company as investors await fresh financial metrics.
AEP
American Electric Power Company, Inc.
Jefferies vs. the S&P 500
Hypothetical returns from Jefferies's disclosed trades, not real profit or advice. How we model this.
Other Institutional Activity in American Electric Power Company, Inc.
Traphagen Investment Advisors expanded its holdings by 2393 shares, finishing with 2393 shares valued at approximately $283889 in a report dated October 14, 2026.
American Electric Power Company, Inc. Stock Up 2.6%
The shares recently traded around $130.42 as of October 22, 2026, sitting roughly 7.2% below their 52-week high of $140.58 and about 15.9% above the 52-week low of $112.54. The stock closed at $130.64 on the day of the rating update.
$AEP price target
American Electric Power Company, Inc. daily closes and this analyst's $146 target. Not advice.
Recent Earnings
The utility generated trailing-twelve-month revenue of $22.79 billion with earnings per share at $5.66 and a return on equity of 10.1%, ahead of its next earnings release scheduled for October 28, 2026.
Earnings drift grade
Outlook vs expectations on the last report — not price action.
-
Forward outlook
6 target raises vs 1 cuts.
-
EPS & revenue
EPS beat estimates by 3.5%. Revenue beat estimates by 4.9%.
-
Profit surprise
EBITDA missed by 11 percent. Operating income missed by 20 percent.
-
Pre-earnings setup
Expectations were about average.
-
Analyst signal
6 target raises, 1 target cut.
-
Earnings quality
Gross margin up 31.5 points. Operating margin down 3.2 points. Positive free cash flow.
Earnings Call Summary
AEP delivered strong first quarter earnings of $1.64 per share, beating consensus of $1.55, driven by positive regulatory outcomes and higher load growth. The company secured 7 additional gigawatts of contracted load in the quarter, bringing total contracted load to 63 gigawatts by 2030, mostly from data centers and industrial customers in Texas, Ohio, Indiana and Oklahoma. Management highlighted concerns about PJM's interconnection speed and is evaluating alternatives to ensure faster load connection, while also noting that customers value AEP's transmission expertise and ability to deliver on aggressive timelines.
Guidance AEP reaffirmed full year 2026 earnings guidance of $6.15 to $6.45 per share. The company raised its 5-year capital plan to $78 billion from $72 billion, expecting 11 percent rate base growth annually. Long-term earnings growth is now expected to exceed 9 percent per year through 2030, up from 7 to 9 percent.
Slightly positive report. The quarter was acceptable, but the forward setup is not strong.
Dividend
The firm distributes an annual dividend rate of $3.80 per share, giving the stock a 3.05% dividend yield based on a payout ratio of 65.5%.
Insider Buying and Selling at American Electric Power Company, Inc.
Company insiders completed several transactions prior to the update, including a sale of 2000 shares by officer Kate Dixon on September 8, 2026.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
Wall Street analysts maintain a consensus buy recommendation on the stock across 21 opinions with a mean price target of $140.69. Other recent moves include JP Morgan maintaining a Neutral rating with a $135 target on October 19, 2026, BTIG upgrading the stock to Buy with a $147 target on October 20, 2026, Morgan Stanley reiterating an Overweight rating and raising its target to $130 on October 21, 2026, and HSBC initiating coverage with a Buy rating and a $145.90 target on October 22, 2026.
About American Electric Power Company, Inc.
American Electric Power Company, Inc. operates as a major electric utility holding company that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to retail and wholesale customers across the United States. Its operations span power generation, transmission networks, and regional distribution services to support residential and commercial power needs.
Bottom Line
Investors will watch the upcoming earnings release on October 28, 2026 for updated financial metrics. The new price target from Jefferies signals ongoing evaluation of the utility's long-term utility asset value.
Related Filing Alerts
Source: Jefferies's rating change on $AEP (Oct 22, 2026). Written by software, not financial advice. How we make alerts