Bull case
AEE would need investors to value it at roughly 27x earnings — about 7x more generous than today's 20x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where AEE stock could go
AEE would need investors to value it at roughly 27x earnings — about 7x more generous than today's 20x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 23x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 6x multiple contraction could push AEE down roughly 32% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Ameren is a regulated electric and natural gas utility serving customers in Missouri and Illinois through rate-regulated generation, transmission, and distribution operations. It earns revenue primarily from regulated electric service (roughly 80% of total) and natural gas distribution, with rates set by state commissions that allow recovery of costs plus a reasonable return. Its key advantage is its regulated monopoly status in its service territories, providing stable cash flows through cost-of-service ratemaking.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $1.01/$0.99 | +2.3% | $2.2B/$1.8B | +24.7% |
| Q4 2025 | $2.17/$2.11 | +2.8% | $2.7B/$2.5B | +8.7% |
| Q1 2026 | $0.78/$0.77 | +1.2% | $1.8B/$1.6B | +11.3% |
| Q2 2026 | $1.28/$1.17 | +9.4% | $2.2B/$2.2B | -3.0% |
AEE beat EPS estimates in 4 of 4 tracked quarters. A perfect track record raises the bar for the upcoming report.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $111 — implies -2.1% from today's price.
| Metric | AEE | S&P 500 | Utilities | 5Y Avg AEE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 20.4x | 19.1x | 17.2x+19% | — |
| Trailing PE | 20.5x | 25.2x-19% | 19.7x | 20.0x |
| PEG Ratio | 2.31x | 1.75x+32% | 1.73x+34% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 13.6x | 15.3x-11% | 11.5x+18% | 13.0x |
| Price/FCF | — | 21.3x | 15.4x | — |
| Price/Sales | 3.4x | 3.1x | 2.2x+58% | 3.0x+13% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.57% | 1.88% | 3.07% | 2.88% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolAEE earns 24.0% operating margin on regulated earnings, 2.6% dividend yield. Utilities carry higher leverage than industrials as a structural feature of the business model.
Revenue, regulated margins, and earnings
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
Regulated utilities typically operate at 3–5× net debt/FCF — this is structural, not a risk flag.
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. Utilities operate with structural leverage (3–5× net debt/FCF) due to regulated, predictable cash flows.
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
Ameren faces increasing cyberattack risk that could disrupt operational control and compromise sensitive data. A successful breach could halt power distribution, trigger regulatory penalties, and erode customer trust. Robust cybersecurity measures and contingency planning are essential to mitigate this risk.
Ameren operates in a highly regulated environment where changes in emissions, discharge, or energy efficiency standards can raise operating costs or require large capital investments. Failure to adapt could erode profitability and expose the company to fines or forced shutdowns. Continuous monitoring and proactive compliance strategies are critical.
The company trades at a high price-to-earnings ratio relative to the broader market, limiting upside potential. If earnings miss expectations, the stock could decline sharply, reflecting investor skepticism about continued growth. Analysts disagree on whether Ameren is undervalued or overvalued, adding uncertainty.
New entrants and rapid technological advances threaten Ameren's traditional utility model. Shifts in customer preferences and distributed generation could erode market share and compress margins. The company must invest in innovation and maintain regulatory advantages to stay competitive.
Ameren's financial performance is tied to macroeconomic factors such as inflation, recession, and geopolitical events. These can reduce energy demand, increase supplier costs, and limit access to capital, leading to volatility in earnings. Diversification of revenue streams may help mitigate this exposure.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
Ameren’s planned capital spend focuses on grid modernization, resilience, and clean‑energy resources. The plan is expected to grow the regulated rate base at a 9.2% CAGR, boosting allowed returns and improving net margins.
Recent regulatory changes in Missouri have opened significant investment opportunities for Ameren. The company has benefited from new rate approvals and infrastructure‑return incentives that support future earnings.
Ameren Missouri has shown strong retail sales growth, with a notable increase across all customer classes. This trend supports higher revenue and margin expansion in the regulated business.
The company has a track record of raising its quarterly dividend each year, providing a steady income stream for investors and signaling confidence in cash‑flow stability.
Ameren is early in its growth evolution, with a pipeline of data‑center load that could ramp faster than anticipated. This could drive higher EPS growth as demand for reliable power rises.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AEE AEE Ameren Corporation | $30.3B | 20.4x | +7.1% | 17.2% | Hold | +10.5% |
WEC WEC WEC Energy Group, Inc. | $37.1B | 20.4x | +5.5% | 16.2% | Hold | +7.8% |
EVR EVRG Evergy, Inc. | $18.6B | 19.1x | +3.4% | 14.6% | Hold | +9.9% |
OGE OGE OGE Energy Corp. | $9.9B | 19.6x | +5.1% | 14.0% | Hold | -1.9% |
NWE NWE Northwestern Energy Group Inc | $4.4B | 18.9x | +5.4% | 10.2% | Hold | -6.7% |
AVA AVA Avista Corporation | $3.3B | 15.8x | +3.4% | 9.8% | Hold | +0.2% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
AEE returns 2.6% total yield, led by a 2.57% dividend, raised 16 consecutive years.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.75 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $2.84 | +6.0% | 0.0% | 2.8% |
| 2024 | $2.68 | +6.3% | 0.0% | 3.0% |
| 2023 | $2.52 | +6.8% | 0.0% | 3.5% |
| 2022 | $2.36 | +7.3% | 0.0% | 2.6% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Ameren Corporation (AEE) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 22 analysts covering the stock, 9 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 12 rate it Hold, and 1 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $121, implying +10.5% from the current price of $110. The bear case scenario is $75 and the bull case is $145.
The Wall Street consensus price target for AEE is $121 based on 22 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $131 (+19.5% from today), and the low-end target is $116 (+5.8%). The base case model target is $125.
AEE trades at 20.4x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals fairly valued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for AEE in 2026 are: (1) Cybersecurity Threats — Ameren faces increasing cyberattack risk that could disrupt operational control and compromise sensitive data. (2) Regulatory & Environmental Compliance — Ameren operates in a highly regulated environment where changes in emissions, discharge, or energy efficiency standards can raise operating costs or require large capital investments. (3) Valuation & Earnings Pressure — The company trades at a high price-to-earnings ratio relative to the broader market, limiting upside potential. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates AEE will report consensus revenue of $9.5B (+7.1% year-over-year) and EPS of $5.74 (+4.9% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $10.3B in revenue.
Ameren Corporation is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-05-07. Consensus expects EPS of $1.17 and revenue of $2.2B. Over recent quarters, AEE has beaten EPS estimates 58% of the time.
Ameren Corporation (AEE) had a free cash outflow of $1.3B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 14.7%. AEE returns capital to shareholders through dividends (2.6% yield) and share repurchases ($0 TTM).