📊 AEE Key Takeaways
Is Ameren Corp. (AEE) a Good Investment?
Ameren demonstrates solid operational performance with healthy 23% operating margins and strong cash generation from operations ($3.4B), but faces structural challenges including negative free cash flow, elevated leverage (1.45x debt-to-equity), and weak liquidity ratios. The utility's stability is offset by capital intensity exceeding operating cash flow, requiring careful monitoring of debt management and rate recovery.
Ameren shows solid regulated-utility profitability, with a 23.0% operating margin, 16.5% net margin, and 10.9% ROE supporting a stable earnings base. However, growth quality is only moderate because revenue was flat, net income slightly declined, and heavy capital spending drove negative free cash flow. The balance sheet remains workable but leveraged, with weak liquidity and only modest interest coverage limiting flexibility.
Why Buy Ameren Corp. Stock? AEE Key Strengths
- Strong operating margin of 23% indicates efficient core operations
- Substantial operating cash flow of $3.4B provides debt service capacity
- Consistent net margins of 16.5% demonstrate pricing power in regulated utility environment
- Reasonable interest coverage ratio of 2.6x supports current debt service capability
- High insider activity with 42 Form 4 filings suggests management engagement
- Strong core profitability with 23.0% operating margin and 16.5% net margin
- Stable returns for a utility profile, including 10.9% ROE and resilient operating cash flow of $3.35B
- EPS growth of 21.0% indicates improving per-share earnings performance
AEE Stock Risks: Ameren Corp. Investment Risks
- Negative free cash flow of -$775M indicates capital expenditures exceed cash generation, requiring external financing
- Elevated debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45x combined with weak liquidity (0.66x current ratio) limits financial flexibility
- Minimal cash reserves of $13M relative to $48.5B asset base creates refinancing risk
- Capital expenditure intensity ($4.1B) exceeds operating cash flow sustainability without rate increases or external capital
- Flat revenue growth (+0.0% YoY) despite $4.1B capex suggests limited organic growth trajectory
- Revenue was flat and net income declined slightly, pointing to limited underlying growth momentum
- Free cash flow was negative at -$775M because capital expenditures exceeded operating cash generation
- Leverage and liquidity are constrained, with debt/equity of 1.45x, current ratio of 0.66x, and interest coverage of 2.6x
Key Metrics to Watch
- Free cash flow trend and capital expenditure requirements relative to operational cash generation
- Debt refinancing schedule and cost of capital in changing interest rate environment
- Regulatory rate case outcomes and ability to recover capital investments through rate base expansion
- Operating cash flow sustainability and growth in high-margin utility service revenues
- Debt-to-equity ratio trajectory and liquidity position improvements
- Free cash flow improvement relative to capital expenditure
- Interest coverage and debt-to-equity trend
Ameren Corp. (AEE) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.
AEE Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
AEE vs Utilities Sector: How Ameren Corp. Compares
How Ameren Corp. compares to Utilities sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is Ameren Corp. Stock Overvalued? AEE Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, Ameren Corp. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Utilities sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
Ameren Corp. Balance Sheet: AEE Debt, Cash & Liquidity
AEE Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: Ameren Corp.'s revenue has grown significantly by 38% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $4.38 reflects profitable operations.
AEE Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
AEE Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $2.2B | $457.0M | $1.70 |
| Q2 2025 | $1.7B | $260.0M | $0.97 |
| Q1 2025 | $1.8B | $262.0M | $0.98 |
| Q3 2024 | $2.1B | $457.0M | $1.70 |
| Q2 2024 | $1.7B | $239.0M | $0.90 |
| Q1 2024 | $1.8B | $262.0M | $0.98 |
| Q3 2023 | $2.1B | $453.0M | $1.74 |
| Q2 2023 | $1.7B | $209.0M | $0.80 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
Ameren Corp. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
AEE SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Ameren Corp. (CIK: 0001002910)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about AEE
What is the AI rating for AEE?
Ameren Corp. (AEE) has a Combined AI Rating of HOLD from Claude (HOLD) and ChatGPT (HOLD) with 75% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are AEE's key strengths?
Claude: Strong operating margin of 23% indicates efficient core operations. Substantial operating cash flow of $3.4B provides debt service capacity. ChatGPT: Strong core profitability with 23.0% operating margin and 16.5% net margin. Stable returns for a utility profile, including 10.9% ROE and resilient operating cash flow of $3.35B.
What are the risks of investing in AEE?
Claude: Negative free cash flow of -$775M indicates capital expenditures exceed cash generation, requiring external financing. Elevated debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45x combined with weak liquidity (0.66x current ratio) limits financial flexibility. ChatGPT: Revenue was flat and net income declined slightly, pointing to limited underlying growth momentum. Free cash flow was negative at -$775M because capital expenditures exceeded operating cash generation.
What is AEE's revenue and growth?
Ameren Corp. reported revenue of $8.8B.
Does AEE pay dividends?
Ameren Corp. pays dividends, with $768.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find AEE SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for Ameren Corp. (CIK: 0001002910) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is AEE's EPS?
Ameren Corp. has a diluted EPS of $5.35.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
Is AEE a good stock to buy right now?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, Ameren Corp. has a HOLD rating with 75% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.
Is AEE stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for AEE: ROE of 10.9% (sector avg: 10%), net margin of 16.5% (sector avg: 12%). Higher ROE suggests strong returns relative to peers.
Should I buy AEE stock in 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives Ameren Corp. a combined HOLD rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is AEE's free cash flow?
Ameren Corp.'s operating cash flow is $3.4B, with capital expenditures of $4.1B. FCF margin is -8.8%.
How does AEE compare to other Utilities stocks?
Vs Utilities sector averages: Net margin 16.5% (avg: 12%), ROE 10.9% (avg: 10%), current ratio 0.66 (avg: 0.8).