Stocks analysis

AEP vs AFL Stock Comparison

Scores Breakdown

Metric AEP AFL
📈 Growth 22/30 6/30
💰 Profitability 16/20 10/20
🏦 Financial Health 12/20 18/20
💵 Valuation 14/20 14/20
⚠️ Risk (lower is better) 7/10 6/10
Overall Score 67/100 52/100

Side-by-Side Summaries

AEP Analysis AFL Analysis

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

The eight quarters show revenue rising from $5.420B in 2024 Q3 to $6.020B in 2026 Q1, about a net increase of ~11%. Net income fluctuated: from $0.962B at the start to $0.903B at the end, with a peak near $1.288B in 2025 Q2. This signals a healthier top line with episodic earnings swings, ending with higher revenue but a slightly lower cumulative net income than the start.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Net income margins averaged in the mid-teens, with notable strength around 25% in 2025 Q2. Operating cash flow tended to be positive across quarters, while investing cash flow was typically negative, reflecting ongoing capex. Cash flow from operations generally ranged in the low-to-mid billions, with an indicative average near $1.8B and occasional peaks near $2.5B.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Assets sit in the $110B–$118B range, with liabilities around $76B–$85B and equity roughly $27B–$33B; end-quarter figures show long-term debt near $42B–$50B. The regulated utility profile supports resilience, though leverage remains notable for the sector.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: regulated rate recovery and ongoing grid modernization investments.
  • Risks: interest-rate sensitivity and regulatory/legislative shifts; earnings volatility driven by weather and macro cycles may affect valuation.

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

The eight quarterly results show a mixed growth path. Start: revenues of $5.138B in 2024 Q2 and end: $4.346B in 2026 Q1, a decline of about 15%. Net income moved from $1.755B in 2024 Q2 to $1.019B in 2026 Q1, down roughly 42%. Notable quarter-to-quarter swings include a robust Q4 2024 and steady early-2025 quarters, but the overall trend is inconsistent, with revenue occasionally bouncing on seasonal/one-offs while earnings remain volatile. Operating income remained strong in several periods (around $3.0–$3.4B on mid-single to low-double-digit revenue), suggesting earnings power when volume picks up, but not a clear, sustained growth trajectory.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Margins vary meaningfully by quarter; reported operating income margins range widely, reflecting unusual items and mix. Net cash from operating activities was solid in several quarters (e.g., $589M in 2025 Q1 and $968M in 2026 Q1) but softer in others (e.g., $315M in 2025 Q4). Investing and financing activities can create negative free cash flow in some periods, yielding an uneven cash flow signal despite positive operating cash in many quarters.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Assets typically sit around $116–$122B, with Liabilities in the $86–$93B range and Equity near $26–$30B, indicating reasonable leverage and strong liquidity. The structure supports resilience across varying earnings seasons, though reported items occasionally show anomalies in current liabilities.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Interest-rate environment; demand for life/health insurance and annuities.
  • Risks: Earnings volatility from taxes and one-offs; potential margin compression and inconsistent free cash flow.