AEP has achieved tremendous progress in the energy sector by concentrating on de-risking and simplifying its business profile, selling non-core assets, and undertaking a strategic assessment of non-core transmission joint ventures. These actions have allowed the company to streamline its operations and reduce the amount of risk associated with its operations. It is also possible that future earnings growth will be driven by the company\’s effective implementation of its strategy for regulated renewables, as well as positive developments in ongoing regulatory and legislative initiatives. With a robust balance sheet, financial targets, and ESG commitments, AEP Inc. is poised to deliver long-term value.
Earnings Insights & Expectations:$AEP
American Electric Power Company Inc had a revenue surprise in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, reporting a beat of $128.18 million, exceeding the revenue estimate of $4.57 billion. The company also missed both non-GAAP and GAAP EPS estimates, reporting a normalized EPS of $1.11 (miss by -$0.01) and a GAAP EPS of $0.77 (miss by -$0.36). The upcoming quarter\’s earnings are expected to have better results with a projected EPS normalized estimate of $1.25 and a revenue estimate of $4.71 billion.
Discovering Growth Drivers:$AEP
American Electric Power Inc. is one of the most successful and largest electric power corporations in the United States, and it has made significant headway in the field of energy.
- Reduction of Business Risks and Simplifying the Company Profile: AEP has made efforts to reduce its exposure to risk and simplify its business profile by selling assets that are not important to its operations and investing the revenues in industries that are subject to regulation. After accounting for taxes and fees associated with the deal, the sale of unregulated contracted renewable assets including 14 large-scale projects is projected to result in cash proceeds totaling $1.2 billion. The sale is scheduled to be finalised during the second quarter of 2023. This will enhance AEP\’s liquidity position and give extra resources to engage in regulated business possibilities.
- Proceeds from the Sale of Non-Core Assets :New Mexico Renewable Development is a portfolio of solar projects that has a book value of $102 million as of the 31st of March, 2023. AEP has plans to sell this portfolio. In the operating earnings guidance for 2023, it is anticipated that the assets will contribute $0.01 per share. The company has also made public its intention to sell its retail operation, and as part of those plans, Distributed Resources will be included in the transaction. The assets have a book value of $200 million for Retail and $350 million for Distributed Resources, and they are expected to contribute $0.04 Retail and $0.02 Distributed Resources to EPS in 2023 based on their respective performance expectations. The transaction is planned to be finalised by the first half of 2024.These sales have the potential to release significant wealth for AEP shareholders.
- Pursuit of Strategic Review of Joint Ventures in Areas Outside of Core Transmission: AEP is in the process of conducting a strategic evaluation of a number of non-core transmission joint ventures, including Prairie Wind Transmission, Pioneer Transmission, and Transource Energy. The portfolio consists of roughly 370 pole line miles, 4 substations, and projects that are currently in the planning stages in PJM and SPP. As of the 31st of March in 2023, the amount that AEP was responsible for contributing to PP&E was $551 million, and the company projected that its operational earnings contribution would be $0.05 per share. If the strategic review in time, it has the potential to further lower AEP\’s risk profile, increase liquidity, and boost investor confidence.
- Regulated Renewables Execution in Key Jurisdictions: AEP has executed its regulated renewables strategy, with regulatory filings approved for 209 MW/$500M owned renewables at APCo. Additionally, regulatory filings are pending for owned renewables of 151 MW/$466M at APCo, 469 MW/$1.0B at I&M, 995.5 MW/$2.5B at PSO, and 999 MW/$2.2B at SWEPCO. If these filings are approved, they could drive future earnings growth. Furthermore, AEP has additional RFPs in process at APCo, I&M, and SWEPCO.
- Current Regulatory and Legislative Initiatives: AEP\’s current regulatory and legislative initiatives are of great significance, as they can affect the company\’s fuel cost management and regulatory support. Major initiatives include those in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Virginia, among other locations. It is important to keep an eye on these developments as successful management of energy costs could lead to improved financial results and investor confidence.
- Financial and environmental metrics: AEP Inc. has set several ambitious targets across. The company aims to maintain an FFO/Debt target of 14%-15%, reflecting its commitment to financial discipline. The company also boasts strong liquidity and pension funding status, providing further assurance to investors. With a dividend per share of $3.32 and a dividend yield of 3.4%, AEP Inc. has maintained its dividend growth in line with earnings growth and targeted payout ratio of 60%-70%. In addition to its strong financial commitments, AEP Inc. has set ESG goals with a net-zero target by 2045, showcasing the company\’s commitment to sustainable practices and the environment.
- Renewed focus on Kentucky: Filings of New Base Rate – Right Sizing Kentucky’s Base Rate – Economic Development in Kentucky region- Right Team in Place to Oversee Efficient execution of the Kentucky strategy. AEP is planning to improve its performance and profitability in the state of Kentucky, after calling off the sale of its Kentucky operations to Liberty, a subsidiary of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. AEP had announced the sale of Kentucky Power and AEP Kentucky Transco, which serve 165,000 customers in eastern Kentucky, for over $2.5 billion in October 2021, but faced regulatory hurdles and delays. The deal was terminated by mutual agreement in April 2023. AEP is now looking to pursue economic development opportunities, and securitize retired coal assets in Kentucky. AEP also reaffirmed its long-term earnings growth target and its capital investment plan. The company added that the previously predicted proceeds from the Kentucky sale process will be replaced by the proceeds from AEP\’s contracted renewables sale, which is estimated to yield $1.2 billion.
Valuation : Overview ($AEP)
| Valuation Ratios | Current | 2023E | 2024E | 2025E |
| EV/ Sales | 4.52 | 4.85 | 5.15 | 5.30 |
| EV/ EBITDA | 12.86 | 12.00 | 12.49 | 12.53 |
| EV/ EBIT | 23.46 | 19.96 | 21.30 | 21.10 |
| Price/Earnings | 23.40 | 18.40 | 18.87 | 19.14 |
Company Description
American Electric Power Company, Inc. provides public utilities. It is a proud owner of electric power delivery infrastructure, including transmission and distribution lines, which it also manages and runs. It offers retail clients in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia services in the areas of generation, transmission, and distribution. Vertically Integrated Utilities, AEP Transmission Holdco, and Generation & Marketing are the business divisions that make up this company. The Vertically Integrated Utilities section produces, transmits, and distributes electricity for the purpose of selling it to retail and wholesale consumers. The Transmission and Distribution Utilities division is responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity, which is then offered for sale to retail and wholesale consumers. The AEP Transmission Holdco section is responsible for the development of transmission facilities as well as their construction and operation. Contract renewable energy investments and management services are included in the Generation & Marketing segment.
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Source:
https://www.aep.com/investors/
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/aep-to-terminate-deal-to-sell-kentucky-operations-to-algonquin-power-unit-backs-fy23-view-1032236063