WallStSmart

American Electric Power Co Inc (AEP)vsServiceNow Inc (NOW)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

American Electric Power Co Inc generates 61% more annual revenue ($22.43B vs $13.96B). AEP leads profitability with a 16.3% profit margin vs 12.6%. NOW appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.89. AEP earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 64/100 (C+).

AEP

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 5.3Profit: 7.0Value: 3.3Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.67

NOW

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.5Value: 6.7Quality: 3.8
Piotroski: 1/9Altman Z: 1.65
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

AEPSignificantly Overvalued (-54.0%)

Margin of Safety

-54.0%

Fair Value

$79.36

Current Price

$130.16

$50.80 premium

UndervaluedFair: $79.36Overvalued
NOWUndervalued (+85.2%)

Margin of Safety

+85.2%

Fair Value

$630.85

Current Price

$91.18

$539.67 discount

UndervaluedFair: $630.85Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AEP3 strengths · Avg: 8.3/10
Market CapQuality
$70.82B9/10

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%

NOW4 strengths · Avg: 8.3/10
Market CapQuality
$96.52B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

PEG RatioValuation
0.898/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Revenue GrowthGrowth
22.1%8/10

Revenue surging 22.1% year-over-year

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.53B8/10

Generating 1.5B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

AEP4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.613/10

Elevated debt levels

PEG RatioValuation
2.882/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-1.32B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.672/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

NOW4 concerns · Avg: 3.8/10
Price/BookValuation
8.0x4/10

Trading at 8.0x book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
2.3%4/10

2.3% earnings growth

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.654/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
1/93/10

Weak financial health signals

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 : NOW

The strongest argument for NOW centers on Market Cap, PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 22.1% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.89 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : AEP

The primary concerns for AEP are Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio, Free Cash Flow. Debt-to-equity of 1.61 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : NOW

The primary concerns for NOW are Price/Book, EPS Growth, Altman Z-Score. A P/E of 55.7x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

AEP profiles as a mature stock while NOW is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

NOW carries more volatility with a beta of 0.82 — expect wider price swings.

NOW is growing revenue faster at 22.1% — sustainability is the question.

NOW generates stronger free cash flow (1.5B), 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. NOW offers better value entry with a 85.2% margin of safety. 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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ServiceNow Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - APPLICATION · USA

ServiceNow is an American software company based in Santa Clara, California that develops a cloud computing platform to help companies manage digital workflows for enterprise operations.

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