American Electric Power Company Inc vs Alliant Energy Corporation — how do they compare? American Electric Power Company Inc trades at $123.61 (market cap $66.87B), while Alliant Energy Corporation trades at $68.56 (market cap $17.69B). The key difference: American Electric Power Company Inc is far larger — about 3.8× Alliant Energy Corporation's market cap, and Alliant Energy Corporation pays the higher dividend (3.14%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AEP | LNT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $66.87B | $17.69B |
Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
52-Week High | $138.69 | $78.03 |
52-Week Low | $106.44 | $63.62 |
Enterprise Value | $119.77B | $29.78B |
Dividend Yield | 3.09% | 3.14% |
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.
LNT trades at $69.37, down 0.22% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but oversold RSI readings. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.65, beating expectations, and maintains strong fundamentals with 18.45% net income margin and 11.14% ROE. Recent news highlights mixed institutional activity and earnings performance influenced by data center demand and cost pressures.
The outlook is balanced with a consensus price target of $77.67 implying upside, supported by earnings beats and a clean energy investment plan. Risks include rising debt levels, cost inflation, and weather-related volatility. Analyst sentiment is positive with no sell ratings, but technical weakness warrants caution near-term.
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 →Alliant Energy is the parent of two regulated utilities, Interstate Power and Light and Wisconsin Power and Light, serving nearly 1 million electricity and natural gas customers and approximately 420,000 natural gas-only customers. Both subsidiaries engage in the generation and distribution of electricity and the distribution and transportation of natural gas. Alliant also owns a 16% interest in American Transmission Co.
Read more on LNT →