Earnings Preview: Analysts Expect American Electric Power Company Revenue, Earnings to Dip from Previous Quarter

American Electric Power Company (NYSE: AEP) unveils its next round of earnings this Friday, July 29, 2011. Here's Benzinga's essential guide to American Electric Power Company's second quarter earnings report.

Earnings and Revenue:

Analysts are looking ahead to a positive EPS of 76 cents per share and revenues of $3.59 billion. Investors will be keen to see how this quarter's numbers stack up against the year-ago quarter's positive EPS of 74 cents per share on revenues of $3.4 billion. Can American Electric Power Company manage the estimated 2.7% rise in EPS and 5.6% increase in revenues from the year-ago quarter as analysts are predicting? We'll have to wait until Friday to find out.

Here's how the company's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past:

Stock Performance:

As of July 25, 2011, American Electric Power Company's current share price was $37.74. Since January 1st, shares of American Electric Power Company have given investors a return of 7.6%. For a full 12 months, the return has risen by 8.9%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are probably satisfied going into this earnings release.

• Long-term shareholders are already enjoying 12-month gains prior to the announcement

Average Stock Rating:

The average rating by analysts for American Electric Power Company is a Hold. The strength of this rating has crept upwards over the past three months.

Competitors:

Looking for a sympathy stock to trade or interested in the performance of other companies in the same sector? Take a look at some of American Electric Power Company's peers.

• Constellation Energy Group (NYSE: CEG): Hold with a $0.63 recent quarter EPS
• Cleco (NYSE: CNL): Hold with a $0.47 recent quarter EPS
• DPL (NYSE: DPL): Hold with a $0.56 recent quarter EPS
• Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK): Moderate Sell with a $0.39 recent quarter EPS

The utility-electric power company's industry has seen price/earnings growth of 2.6% during the current fiscal year.

Finally, a description of the company's main areas of operation: American Electric Power is a public utility holding company that provides electric service, consisting of generation, transmission and distribution, to its retail customers through subsidiaries.

Take Action:

That's your advanced look at American Electric Power Company's upcoming earnings numbers -- be ready to take quick action if the company's report contains any surprises. Also, check back in with us after the announcement for a full recap and what-to-do-next guide.

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