American Electric Power Co. Inc. (AEP) has agreed to sell 5,200 MW of merchant generation capacity for $2.217 billion with the transaction expected to close in first-quarter 2017. We are raising the issuer credit rating on AEP and its subsidiaries--Appalachian Power Co., Indiana Michigan Power Co., Kentucky Power Co., Ohio Power Co., Public Service Co. of Oklahoma, Southwestern Electric Power Co., AEP Texas Central Co., and AEP Texas North Co.--to 'BBB+' from 'BBB' and placing the ratings on CreditWatch with positive implications. We are revising the comparable rating analysis assessment on AEP to positive from neutral, reflecting our view that the company's business risk profile is at the higher end of the strong business risk profile category. This incorporates our
