American Electric Power Co., Inc. AEP reported second-quarter 2021 adjusted earnings per share of $1.18, which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.14 by 3.5%. Moreover, the bottom line improved 9.3% from $1.08 per share in the year-ago quarter.The company reported GAAP earnings of $1.16 per share compared with the year-ago quarter’s $1.05.Total RevenuesAmerican Electric’s second-quarter revenues of $3,826.5 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,826.2 million by a whisker.Moreover, the reported figure improved 9.8% from the year-ago quarter’s $3,481 million.American Electric Power Company, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise American Electric Power Company, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | American Electric Power Company, Inc. QuoteQuarterly HighlightsTotal expenses in the quarter were $1,892.6 million compared with $1,806.5 million a year ago.Adjusted operating income was $800.9 million, up 8.4% from $738.7 million in the year-ago quarter.Segmental PerformanceVertically Integrated Utility Operations: Adjusted operating earnings in the quarter decreased to $227 million from $270.4 million in the year-ago quarter.Transmission & Distribution Utilities: Operating earnings were $153.7 million, up from $139.5 million in the year-ago quarter.AEP Transmission Holdco: This segment generated adjusted operating earnings of $168.9 million, up from $93.9 million in the second quarter of 2020.Generation and Marketing: Adjusted operating earnings were $45.3 million, down from $55.9 million in the year-ago quarter.Corporate & Other: Adjusted operating losses were $5.4 million compared with adjusted operating losses of $31.6 million in the year-ago quarter.Financial UpdateAs of Jun 30, 2021, American Electric had cash and cash equivalents of $312.7 million compared with $392.7 million as of Dec 31, 2020.Long-term debt was $30.66 billion as of Jun 30, 2021, compared with $29 billion as of Dec 31, 2020.Cash flow from operations was $1,043.9 million at the end of Jun 30, 2021 compared with cash flow of $1,746.2 million as of Jun 30, 2020.2021 GuidanceAmerican Electric reaffirmed 2021 operating earnings guidance in the range of $4.55-$4.75 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2021 earnings, pegged at $4.68 per share, lies above the midpoint of the guidance range.Zacks RankAmerican Electric currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Upcoming Utility ReleasesCenterPoint Energy CNP is set to release its second-quarter results on Aug 5.Duke Energy DUK is set to release its second-quarter results on Aug 5.Entergy ETR is set to release its second-quarter results on Aug 4. Bitcoin, Like the Internet Itself, Could Change Everything Blockchain and cryptocurrency has sparked one of the most exciting discussion topics of a generation. Some call it the “Internet of Money” and predict it could change the way money works forever. If true, it could do to banks what Netflix did to Blockbuster and Amazon did to Sears. Experts agree we’re still in the early stages of this technology, and as it grows, it will create several investing opportunities. Zacks’ has just revealed 3 companies that can help investors capitalize on the explosive profit potential of Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies with significantly less volatility than buying them directly. See 3 crypto-related stocks now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Entergy Corporation (ETR): Free Stock Analysis Report Duke Energy Corporation (DUK): Free Stock Analysis Report American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP): Free Stock Analysis Report CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research