WallStSmart

American Electric Power Co Inc (AEP)vsHewlett Packard Enterprise Co (HPE)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co generates 73% more annual revenue ($38.79B vs $22.43B). AEP leads profitability with a 16.3% profit margin vs 4.0%. HPE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.85. AEP earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 64/100 (C+).

AEP

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 5.3Profit: 7.0Value: 5.0Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.67

HPE

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 6.0Profit: 4.5Value: 5.7Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 0.69

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AEP3 strengths · Avg: 8.3/10
Market CapQuality
$69.16B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Price/BookValuation
2.2x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
23.7%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 23.7%

HPE4 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
40.0%10/10

Revenue surging 40.0% year-over-year

Market CapQuality
$63.79B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

PEG RatioValuation
0.858/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
2.8x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

AEP4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.274/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Debt/EquityHealth
1.633/10

Elevated debt levels

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-1.32B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.672/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

HPE4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Return on EquityProfitability
6.0%3/10

ROE of 6.0% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
4.0%3/10

4.0% margin — thin

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

P/E RatioValuation
45.0x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : AEP

The strongest argument for AEP centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 16.3% and operating margin at 23.7%. Revenue growth of 10.2% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : HPE

The strongest argument for HPE centers on Revenue Growth, Market Cap, PEG Ratio. Revenue growth of 40.0% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.85 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : AEP

The primary concerns for AEP are PEG Ratio, Debt/Equity, Free Cash Flow. Debt-to-equity of 1.63 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : HPE

The primary concerns for HPE are Return on Equity, Profit Margin, Piotroski F-Score. A P/E of 45.0x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 4.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

AEP profiles as a mature stock while HPE is a hypergrowth play — different risk/reward profiles.

HPE carries more volatility with a beta of 1.45 — expect wider price swings.

HPE is growing revenue faster at 40.0% — sustainability is the question.

HPE generates stronger free cash flow (827M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

AEP scores higher overall (64/100 vs 59/100), backed by strong 16.3% margins and 10.2% revenue growth. Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

American Electric Power Co Inc

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC · USA

American Electric Power (AEP) is a major investor-owned electric utility in the United States, delivering electricity to more than five million customers in 11 states.

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co

TECHNOLOGY · COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT · USA

The Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) is an American multinational enterprise information technology company based in Houston, Texas, United States.

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