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

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to inform investors that AEP's management will be reaffirming its previously issued earnings guidance for the 2009 fiscal year during upcoming investor meetings. The guidance for ongoing earnings per share is set between $3.00 and $3.40.

What does AEP mean by 'ongoing earnings'?

AEP defines 'ongoing earnings' as GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) earnings that have been adjusted for certain items. The company believes this adjusted metric provides a more meaningful representation of its performance and uses it as its primary performance measurement when communicating with analysts and investors, as well as for internal reporting.

What are the key risks mentioned in the filing that could affect AEP's future performance?

The filing lists numerous risk factors, including electric load and customer growth, weather conditions, fuel costs and availability, generating capacity performance, regulatory recovery of costs, new legislation and environmental regulations, litigation, operational costs, asset sales, economic climate in service territories, inflation, commodity price volatility, financial market conditions affecting capital access and debt refinancing, creditworthiness of market participants, changes in utility regulation, and technological changes. The company also notes risks related to wars, terrorism, and other catastrophic events.

Does AEP plan to update its guidance if conditions change?

The filing states that the company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information presented in the report. This means AEP is not committing to revising its guidance even if circumstances change that could affect actual results.

AEP 8-K: Regulation FD

Summary

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) filed an 8-K on December 2, 2008, to announce that management will be reaffirming its previously issued guidance for ongoing earnings per share (EPS) for the fiscal year 2009. This guidance is set at $3.00 to $3.40 per share. The company emphasizes that it uses 'ongoing earnings,' which adjust GAAP earnings for certain items, as its primary performance metric for communicating with investors and for internal performance measurement.

Key Highlights

1AEP reaffirmed its 2009 fiscal year ongoing earnings per share guidance of $3.00 to $3.40.
2The company will be conducting investor meetings on December 2nd and 3rd, 2008, where this guidance will be reiterated.
3AEP defines 'ongoing earnings' as GAAP earnings adjusted for certain items, considering it a more meaningful representation of performance.
4Ongoing earnings are used by AEP management as the primary performance measurement for investor communications and internal reporting.
5The filing includes a comprehensive list of risk factors that could materially affect the company's actual results.
6Forward-looking statements are included, with the company disclaiming any obligation to update them.

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER CO INC 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (Dec 2, 2008)

Summary

Key Highlights

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