steady stock

Citigroup analyst Brian Chin favors American Electric Power, which has one of the group's lowest P/Es. At 30, it trades for less than 11 times projected 2009 profits and yields 5.3%. With operations in the Midwest and Texas, American Electric Power is more exposed to weak industrial markets, and the regulatory environment in Ohio is viewed as difficult. Also, environmentalists and others have stalled construction of a half-finished $1.6 billion coal plant that an American Electric unit is building in Arkansas.

long time holding

American Electric Power (AEP) downgraded to Hold rating from Buy at Jefferies. Price target dips to $45 from $50.50 and 2008 eps estimates lowered to $3.15 from $3.21.

In upgrading American Electric Power to Buy from Hold last month, UBS analyst Shalini Mahajan wrote that the stock was trading too cheaply relative to other coal-heavy utilities like Southern and Duke. Mahajan has a price target of 48, just below Gordon's target of 50.

Goldman Sachs said it is upgrading American Electric Power (AEP) to Buy from Neutral based on improved industry view. See additional opportunity for Regulated and Diversified Utilities sectors based on strong earnings growth relative to broad economic weakness. Price target at $51.

American Electric (AEP) was upgraded to Buy rating from Neutral at UBS. Price target dips to $48 from $52.

Energy

Energy

Inherited