American Electric Power Co. Inc. (NYSE:AEP) (2.3% of net assets as of March 31, 2016) (AEP – $66.40 – NYSE) is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities. It serves more than 5.4 million retail customers in eleven states (Ohio and Texas are the largest), owns approximately 32,000 MW of generating capacity, 40,000 miles of transmission lines (the nation’s largest), and 223,000 miles of distribution lines. AEP is focused on becoming a premier regulated utility, and it plans to invest $13 billion over the 2016-2018 time period in regulated assets, driving 7.3% CAGR in net regulated plant. Management expects 4%-6% annual earnings growth, driven by capital investment and rate recovery, sustainable cost savings and O&M spending discipline. The company continues to transition its generation fleet from coal to more environmentally friendly sources. Some of the growth will come from AEP Transco, a transmission development subsidiary that is expected to grow to $0.87-$0.96 per share by 2019 from $0.39 per AEP share in 2015, driven by a $3.7 billion transmission capital investment plan for 2016-2018. AEP currently pays an annual dividend of $2.24 per share representing a payout ratio of roughly 60% (using $3.70 per share, midpoint of the 2016 earning guidance range), near the low end of the targeted payout ratio of 60%-70%.
From Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio)'s Gabelli Utilities Fund first quarter 2016 commentary.
