Stocks analysis

AEP vs AFL Stock Comparison

Scores Breakdown

Metric AEP AFL
📈 Growth 12/30 6/30
💰 Profitability 14/20 18/20
🏦 Financial Health 14/20 15/20
💵 Valuation 15/20 12/20
⚠️ Risk (lower is better) 5/10 7/10
Overall Score 60/100 54/100

Side-by-Side Summaries

AEP Analysis AFL Analysis

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

Across the 8 quarters, Revenues rose from about $4.70B (2024 Q3) to $5.45B (2026 Q2), a ~16% gain, but with volatility (peak around $6.01B in 2025 Q3 and dips in several quarters). Net income ranged from about $0.92B (2024 Q3) to a high of about $1.29B (2025 Q2), ending near $0.75B in 2026 Q2. The trajectory shows modest top-line growth with mixed earnings momentum; the end result is below the initial earnings level despite higher revenue.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Operating margins have generally trended in the mid-20s percent across several quarters (roughly mid-20s in 2024 Q4 and 2025 Q3; about 23% in 2026 Q2). Cash flow from operations remained positive in most periods (roughly $1.2B–$1.9B), while investing activities were sizable and often negative, pressuring overall free cash flow. Net cash flow patterns reflect ongoing capital spending typical of a regulated utility.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Total assets run around $110B–$122B with equity in the $27B–$33B range and long-term debt near $42B–$50B. Liabilities exceed current assets in several quarters, yielding weaker near-term liquidity (current ratio often below 1). Still, a large asset base and regulated cash flows provide resilience, with debt levels offset by steady rate recovery.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Regulated utility demand and rate recovery leverage, ongoing energy transition investments.
  • Risks: Interest-rate/regulatory sensitivity and capital-intensity; earnings can remain volatile around quarterly shifts in demand and tax items.

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

Eight quarters show a revenue path from $5.403B (2024 Q3) to $4.117B (2026 Q2). A trough occurred in 2025 Q1 with $4.16B rev and $29M net income. Revenues then recovered to the high 4.7–4.9B range in 2025 H2, before easing again to $4.12B in 2026 Q2. Net income moved from $1.902B (2024 Q3) to $0.825B (2026 Q2), with a dip to $29M in 2025 Q1. Overall, the trend is negative on revenue and earnings, but several quarters display strong operating performance (notably 2024 Q3 and late-2025/2026).

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Operating margins were robust on several quarters, averaging in the mid-60s percent, peaking around 75% in 2024 Q3 and hovering near 70% in late 2025–2026; a trough around 40–41% occurred in 2025 Q2. Cash flow from operations remained positive across periods (e.g., $315M in 2024 Q4, $1.27B in 2025 Q3, $112M in 2026 Q2), while investing/financing swings produced occasional negative free cash flow (notably 2025 Q1 and 2026 Q1).

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Current assets consistently exceed current liabilities (e.g., 2026 Q2: Current Assets $115.96B vs Current Liabilities $85.65B). Total assets run in the $116–$125B range with equity around $28–$30B, indicating a solid reserve position given insurer-liability balances. Leverage remains typical for an insurance franchise, with ample liquidity cushions.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Stable insurance premium streams and investment income support, with favorable rate environments aiding capital generation.
  • Risks: Earnings volatility from reserve dynamics and regulatory shifts; sensitivity to interest-rate changes and macro cycle could compress margins during downturns.