AEP's Q1 2026 GAAP earnings increase

What happened: American Electric Power (AEP), one of the nation's largest electricity producers, reported a 9.3% increase in GAAP earnings to $874 million in Q1 2026, driven by a 9% rise in EPS to $1.61. Scotiabank raised its price target on AEP to $140, citing its position among the top power generation stocks for data center demand.

Market impact: The earnings beat and price target increase reflect growing investor confidence in AEP's ability to capitalize on the surging data center market. This trend could drive further interest in utility stocks well-positioned for data center demand, such as those listed in the source articles.

What to watch next: AEP's Q2 2026 earnings report, scheduled for August 5, 2026, will provide insight into the sustainability of these trends. Additionally, regulatory decisions on data center infrastructure projects, slated for Q3 2026, could impact AEP's growth trajectory.