8-KRegulation FD

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER CO INC 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (May 10, 2005)

Filed May 10, 2005For Securities:AEP

Summary

This 8-K filing by American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) on May 10, 2005, serves as a notification regarding upcoming investor meetings scheduled between May 10 and May 26, 2005. The primary purpose of this disclosure is to reaffirm AEP's previously issued guidance for ongoing earnings per share (EPS) for the fiscal year 2005, set at $2.30 to $2.50. Management emphasizes that 'ongoing earnings,' which are GAAP earnings adjusted for certain items, are considered a more meaningful measure of the company's performance. This metric is utilized internally for performance tracking and externally when communicating with analysts and investors about the company's financial outlook and results. Investors should note that this reaffirms guidance provided in a prior filing on April 28, 2005. The report also includes a standard disclaimer about forward-looking statements and the potential factors that could cause actual results to differ from projections.

Key Highlights

  • 1AEP reaffirms its 2005 fiscal year ongoing earnings per share guidance of $2.30 to $2.50.
  • 2The reaffirmation of guidance was communicated during investor meetings held from May 10 to May 26, 2005.
  • 3AEP utilizes 'ongoing earnings' (adjusted GAAP earnings) as its primary performance measurement for investor communications and internal reporting.
  • 4This filing reiterates guidance previously provided on April 28, 2005, in connection with the first quarter earnings release.
  • 5The report includes a standard forward-looking statement disclaimer, outlining potential risks and factors that could impact future results.
  • 6Key risk factors mentioned include electric load growth, weather conditions, fuel costs and availability, regulatory decisions, and market volatility.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose of this filing is to announce that AEP management will be conducting investor meetings and to reaffirm the company's previously issued guidance for ongoing earnings per share for the fiscal year 2005, which is expected to be between $2.30 and $2.50.

AEP defines 'ongoing earnings' as GAAP earnings adjusted for certain items. Management believes this adjusted figure provides a more meaningful representation of the company's financial performance and uses it as the primary metric when communicating its earnings outlook and results to analysts and investors.

Yes, this filing reaffirms guidance that was most recently stated in a Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2005, in connection with AEP's first-quarter earnings press release.

The filing lists several potential risk factors, including changes in electric load and customer growth, weather conditions, the cost and availability of fuels, regulatory decisions (such as rate cases and environmental compliance), litigation, operational costs, asset sales, economic conditions in their service territory, and volatility in energy commodity markets and financial markets.