[Form 4] American Electric Power Company, Inc. Insider Trading Activity
Benjamin G.S. Fowke III, a director of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP), sold shares on 08/15/2025 under a pre-established trading plan. The Form 4 reports a sale of 5,000 shares of AEP common stock at $111.99 per share, executed pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted May 13, 2025. After the reported transactions the filing shows the reporting person beneficially owns 45,898 shares directly. The filing also notes a disposition of 2,301.6 shares related to the director's deferred cash retainer held in the AEP Stock Fund.
- Sale executed under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, indicating pre-established trading authorization (adopted May 13, 2025).
- Clear disclosure of beneficial ownership after the transaction: 45,898 shares reported as directly owned.
- Insider sale of 5,000 shares could be perceived negatively by some investors despite being executed under a trading plan.
- Disposition of 2,301.6 shares from deferred cash retainer reduces insider-held stock in the AEP Stock Fund.
Insights
TL;DR: Routine director sale under a 10b5-1 plan; disclosure indicates compliance with pre-established trading procedures.
The Form 4 documents a director-level sale executed pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan adopted May 13, 2025, which provides an affirmative defense to insider trading claims when conditions are met. The filing transparently reports the number of shares sold (5,000 at $111.99) and the director's remaining direct beneficial ownership (45,898). The filing also discloses a deferred cash retainer moved into the AEP Stock Fund, reflected as a 2,301.6 share disposition. From a governance perspective, use of a 10b5-1 plan and clear disclosure are consistent with standard practices for insiders managing personal liquidity while mitigating insider-trading risk.
TL;DR: Insider sold a modest block of shares; reported ownership remains material but the transaction appears routine.
The sale of 5,000 shares at $111.99 is explicitly reported and executed under a documented 10b5-1 plan. The Form 4 shows the reporting person retains 45,898 shares directly after the transaction, indicating continued share exposure. The separate disclosure that 2,301.6 shares were disposed in connection with a deferred cash retainer into the AEP Stock Fund is factual and indicates non-open-market plan-related activity. There is no earnings or forward-looking financial data in this filing to assess company performance impact.