Traders Buy Large Volume of AES Put Options (NYSE:AES)

The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Thursday. Stock investors purchased 17,270 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 36% compared to the typical daily volume of 12,745 put options.

AES Stock Down 0.3%

AES stock opened at $14.02 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $15.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $14.31. AES has a 1-year low of $9.46 and a 1-year high of $17.65. The company has a market cap of $9.99 billion, a PE ratio of 11.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.94, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.69.

AES (NYSE:AES) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 2nd. The utilities provider reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.13. AES had a return on equity of 19.93% and a net margin of 7.40%.The firm had revenue of $3.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.07 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.54 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that AES will post 1.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AES Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Investors of record on Friday, May 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.176 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 1st. This represents a $0.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.0%. AES’s payout ratio is currently 55.56%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AES

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bogart Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of AES by 406.5% during the 3rd quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 1,869 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares in the last quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC increased its stake in AES by 232.5% in the 3rd quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 2,484 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 1,737 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in AES during the fourth quarter worth $42,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC boosted its position in AES by 50.8% during the third quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 3,401 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 1,146 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan grew its holdings in AES by 108.0% in the fourth quarter. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan now owns 7,280 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $104,000 after purchasing an additional 3,780 shares during the last quarter. 93.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Mizuho downgraded AES from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 3rd. Barclays restated an “equal weight” rating and set a $15.00 price target on shares of AES in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $15.00 price objective (down from $23.00) on shares of AES in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of AES in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on shares of AES from $13.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, AES currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $24.27.

AES News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting AES this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Maximo (an AES incubated business) completed a 100 MW robotic solar installation at AES’ Bellefield site — a tangible execution milestone that can lower O&M costs and demonstrate scalable, capital‑efficient deployment for AES’ renewables pipeline. Maximo Completes 100 MW of Robotic Solar Installation
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts note AES has 8.2 GW of signed PPAs for data centers, deepening revenue visibility and customer ties (including large tech partners), which supports the company’s long‑term growth and cash‑flow outlook. Can AES Capitalize on Surging Data Center Energy Demand?
• Neutral Sentiment: AES extended the expiration of its consent solicitation for the 2028 notes while consents for its 2030 and 2031 notes expired — an ongoing debt‑holder process that investors should monitor for potential covenant or indenture changes but that doesn’t immediately change operations. AES Announces Extension of Consent Solicitation for its 2028 Notes…
• Neutral Sentiment: A political/opinion piece revisited the controversy around the AES sale process; such coverage can create headline risk but is commentary rather than new company action. Republicans could’ve stopped the AES sale. They chose not to. | Opinion
• Negative Sentiment: Argus downgraded AES from “buy” to “hold,” a near‑term negative for sentiment that can reduce buying pressure from income/growth investors who follow the firm. Argus Downgrades AES to Hold
• Negative Sentiment: Unusual options activity: investors purchased ~17,270 AES put contracts (about 36% above average), signaling elevated short‑term bearish bets that can amplify downside moves.

AES Company Profile

AES Corporation is a global energy company focused on the generation and distribution of electricity across diversified markets. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AES develops, builds and operates power plants and distribution systems that serve residential, industrial and commercial customers. The company’s portfolio includes thermal, renewable and battery energy storage facilities designed to deliver reliable and sustainable electricity solutions.

Through its subsidiaries, AES operates a balanced mix of power generation assets, including natural gas, coal and renewables such as solar and wind.