Insider Trading February 25, 2026

AEP Executive Sells $177K in RSUs as Company Trades Near 52-Week High

Kelly J Ferneau reduces holdings through RSU sale and tax-related common stock disposition amid mixed signals on valuation and ongoing transmission projects

By Marcus Reed AEP
AEP Executive Sells $177K in RSUs as Company Trades Near 52-Week High
AEP

Kelly J Ferneau, Executive Vice President at American Electric Power Co. Inc. (AEP), completed the sale of 1,351 Restricted Stock Units on February 24, 2026, for about $177,602 and sold 589 shares of common stock on February 23, 2026, to cover tax liabilities for approximately $77,765. After the transactions, Ferneau retains 15,410 RSUs and 16,761 common shares. The trades occur while AEP shares trade close to a 52-week high and face valuation questions from InvestingPro analysis, even as multiple brokerages raise ratings and PJM approves a major transmission project for central Ohio.

Key Points

  • Kelly J Ferneau sold 1,351 Restricted Stock Units on February 24, 2026, for approximately $177,602 at $131.46 per share and sold 589 common shares on February 23, 2026, to cover tax liabilities for $77,765 at $132.03 per share.
  • After the reported transactions, Ferneau holds 15,410 Restricted Stock Units and 16,761 shares of Common Stock in American Electric Power.
  • AEP trades near a 52-week high of $132.78 and has returned 27% over the past year; InvestingPro analysis flags the stock as appearing overvalued relative to its Fair Value, while several brokers have raised ratings and PJM approved a large transmission project for central Ohio.

Insider transactions

Kelly J Ferneau, who serves as Executive Vice President at American Electric Power Co. Inc. (NYSE: AEP), executed two separate stock disposals in late February 2026, according to a Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

On February 24, 2026, Ferneau sold 1,351 shares of Restricted Stock Units for approximately $177,602, at a price of $131.46 per share. The filing also shows that on February 23, 2026, she sold 589 shares of Common Stock to satisfy tax obligations, with those shares transacting at $132.03 each for a total of $77,765.

Following these transactions, Ferneau’s remaining holdings in the company stand at 15,410 Restricted Stock Units and 16,761 shares of Common Stock.


Market context

The insider sales come as American Electric Power’s stock is trading close to its 52-week high of $132.78 and has produced a 27% total return over the past year. InvestingPro’s analysis, cited in company reporting, indicates that AEP appears overvalued at current levels relative to its Fair Value.

Key company metrics noted in recent reporting include a market capitalization of $71.7 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.8, and a dividend yield of 2.9%.


Analyst moves and project developments

Several brokerages have adjusted their views on the utility in recent research activity reported alongside the insider filing. Jefferies upgraded its rating on the stock from Hold to Buy, pointing to an increase in contracted load to 56 gigawatts by 2030 and raising its price target to $150. Wolfe Research moved its rating to Outperform with a $142 price target, highlighting what it described as effective execution under new management. TD Cowen kept a Buy rating and raised its price target to $141, citing a strong capital opportunities pipeline.

On the project front, PJM Interconnection has approved a major electric transmission initiative for central Ohio developed by Transource Energy and FirstEnergy Transmission through Grid Growth Ventures LLC. The approved work includes new 765-kilovolt transmission lines and substation upgrades designed to address rising power needs in the Columbus region.


What this means for stakeholders

The disclosed sales provide a factual update on an executive-level change in share ownership while the company remains the subject of positive analyst revisions and regulatory approvals for infrastructure projects. Investors and market participants can reference the SEC Form 4 filing for the complete transaction details.

Risks

  • Valuation concern - InvestingPro analysis indicates the stock appears overvalued relative to its Fair Value, which may affect investor expectations for the utilities sector.
  • Insider selling - The reported disposals by an executive could be interpreted by market participants as a reduction in insider ownership, introducing uncertainty for equity investors.
  • Market sensitivity - AEP trading near its 52-week high may increase price volatility and sensitivity to new information in the electric utilities sector.

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