American Electric Power Company Inc vs Consolidated Edison, Inc. — how do they compare? American Electric Power Company Inc trades at $123.55 (market cap $66.87B), while Consolidated Edison, Inc. trades at $107.5 (market cap $39.31B). The key difference: American Electric Power Company Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Consolidated Edison, Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.3%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AEP | ED | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $66.87B | $39.31B |
Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
52-Week High | $138.69 | $115.46 |
52-Week Low | $106.44 | $95.37 |
Enterprise Value | $119.77B | $66.16B |
Dividend Yield | 3.09% | 3.3% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
American Electric Power (AEP) trades at $125.73, up 0.38% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong analyst support. Recent Q2 2026 earnings missed estimates at $1.36 per share versus $1.48 expected, though the company raised full-year 2026 operating EPS guidance to $6.25–$6.55, reflecting confidence in AI-driven power demand growth. Fundamentals show robust revenue growth to $21.88B in 2025 and a net income margin of 13.78%, supported by a $78 billion capital plan.
The outlook remains positive due to contracted load growth and infrastructure investments, but risks include execution of large capital expenditures and interest rate sensitivity. With a consensus price target of $140.89 and no sell ratings, Wall Street sentiment is bullish, though technical indicators suggest near-term caution amid bearish moving averages.
Consolidated Edison (ED) trades at $107.98, down 0.89% on the day, with mixed technical signals showing bearish moving averages but neutral oscillators. The utility reported strong Q2 2026 earnings of $0.83 per share, beating estimates, with revenue growth driven by higher electric and gas rates. Analyst consensus remains cautious with 63% hold ratings and a $103.25 price target below current levels. The company maintains stable dividends and benefits from regulated monopoly positioning in New York.
ED offers defensive utility exposure with predictable cash flows and a 3.2% dividend yield, supported by mid-8% rate base growth and 9.4% allowed ROE through 2029. However, high debt levels ($27.3B total debt), capital-intensive grid upgrades, and regulatory risks present challenges. Current valuation at 17.8x P/E appears fair relative to earnings growth, making it suitable for income-focused investors seeking stability amid market volatility.
Trailing returns across standard periods
American Electric Power is one of the largest regulated utilities in the United States, providing electricity generation, transmission, and distribution to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. About 43% of AEP's of capacity is coal, with the remainder from a mix of natural gas (27%), renewable energy and hydro (19%), nuclear (7%), and demand response (4%). Vertically integrated utilities, transmission and distribution, and generation and marketing support earnings.
Read more on AEP →Con Ed is a holding company for Consolidated Edison of New York, or CECONY, and Orange & Rockland, or O&R. These utilities provide steam, natural gas, and electricity to customers in southeastern New York—including New York City—and small parts of New Jersey. The two utilities will generate nearly all of Con Ed's earnings once it closes the sale of its clean energy business to RWE. Con Ed's clean energy business owns the second-largest portfolio of utility-scale solar projects in the U.S. Following the sale, Con Ed's only non-utility earnings will come from investments in gas and electric transmission.
Read more on ED →