What is the main purpose of this 8-K filing?

The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to notify investors that American Electric Power (AEP) management will be meeting with them and to reaffirm the company's previously issued earnings guidance for the 2008 fiscal year, which is projected to be between $3.10 and $3.30 per share on an ongoing earnings basis.

What does AEP mean by 'ongoing earnings'?

AEP defines 'ongoing earnings' as GAAP earnings adjusted for certain items. The company considers this metric to be a more meaningful representation of its performance and uses it as its primary measure when communicating its earnings outlook and results to analysts and investors.

What are some of the key risks that could affect AEP's future results?

AEP lists numerous factors that could cause actual results to differ from projections. Key risks include fluctuations in electric load and customer growth, weather conditions, the cost and availability of fuels, the performance of generating plants, regulatory decisions on rate cases and asset recovery, new environmental legislation and litigation, operating costs, economic conditions in its service territories, access to capital, and volatility in energy commodity markets.

Did AEP provide any updated financial guidance in this filing?

No, this filing did not provide updated financial guidance. It served to reaffirm the previously issued guidance for 2008 ongoing earnings per share ($3.10 to $3.30), which was initially stated in a Form 8-K on July 31, 2008.

AEP 8-K: Regulation FD — Sep 17, 2008

Summary

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) filed an 8-K on September 17, 2008, to disclose information relevant to investor meetings scheduled for the same day. The primary purpose of this filing was to reaffirm the company's previously issued earnings guidance for the 2008 fiscal year, maintaining the range of $3.10 to $3.30 per share for ongoing earnings. AEP emphasizes its use of 'ongoing earnings' (GAAP earnings adjusted for certain items) as its preferred metric for performance measurement and outlook communication with investors and analysts, citing its more meaningful representation of the company's operational performance. The filing also includes a standard cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements. Investors should note the extensive list of potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from AEP's projections. These factors span regulatory, operational, market, economic, and environmental influences, including but not limited to regulatory asset recovery, fuel costs, generating capacity, environmental regulations, litigation, and general economic conditions within AEP's service territories.

Key Highlights

1Reaffirmed 2008 fiscal year ongoing earnings guidance of $3.10 to $3.30 per share.
2Company's primary performance metric for investor communication is 'ongoing earnings,' which adjusts GAAP earnings for specific items.
3Ongoing earnings are used internally for performance measurement and reporting to the board of directors.
4Investor meetings were scheduled for September 17, 2008, to discuss company performance and outlook.
5The filing contains a comprehensive list of risk factors that could impact future financial results.
6Key risk factors include regulatory decisions, fuel and energy costs, generation capacity, environmental regulations, and economic conditions.

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER CO INC 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (Sep 17, 2008)

Summary

Key Highlights

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