AEP Soars to 252nd in Daily Trading Volume Amid Record $1.2B Earnings as Shares Slide 1.15% Amid Ohio Rate Hikes and Grid Modernization Push

On August 18, 2025, American Electric Power (AEP) saw a trading volume of $0.35 billion, a 33.32% increase from the previous day, ranking it 252nd in market activity. The stock closed down 1.15%, reflecting investor concerns amid broader market volatility.

AEP reported record second-quarter earnings of $1.2 billion ($2.29 per share) in 2025, compared to $340 million ($0.64 per share) in the same period in 2024. The company attributed the surge to its customer-focused strategy and grid modernization efforts, with CEO Bill Fehrman emphasizing long-term growth through infrastructure investments. However, rising utility bills in Ohio have drawn scrutiny, as households using 1,000 kWh faced a $27 monthly increase in June due to generation cost pressures.

AEP Ohio executives clarified that rate adjustments are capped by regulatory frameworks, distinguishing the parent company’s diversified earnings from residential billing. They cited supply-and-demand imbalances in grid generation over the past five to ten years as a key factor driving costs. Despite record profits, customer frustration persists, with critics highlighting the disparity between corporate performance and consumer affordability challenges. AEP Ohio emphasized ongoing efficiency improvements and service enhancements to address reliability concerns and reduce operational costs.

The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding them for one day resulted in a total profit of $2,340 from 2022 to the present. Cumulative returns reached 23.4%, indicating a positive but modest performance given market volatility and the conservative approach.