Start with its own history
At 27.41×, AEL is 106.1% above its 10-observation annual average. A lower multiple can reflect a lower price, higher earnings, or weaker growth expectations—not necessarily a bargain.
NYSE · AELInsurance - LifeUpdated Nov 4, 2026
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company P/E ratio
Current valuation, historical context, and peer comparisons.
Current P/E ratio
27.41×
106.1% abovethe 10-year annual average
Share price56.47
÷Earnings per share2.06
Price and EPS in quote currency. Calculation details
Investors are paying 27.41 for every 1 of reported earnings per share.
P/E over time
2016 – 2025
Annual P/ESelected-period average 13.30×
3-year average21.45×3 positive annual observations
5-year average14.75×5 positive annual observations
10-year average13.30×10 positive annual observations
Peer median · TTM37.60×4 peers with positive P/E
Historical P/E ratios
Annual period-end data · 23 observations
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | 31.37× | +388.9% |
| Dec 31, 2024 | 6.42× | -75.8% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 26.57× | +1106.8% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 2.20× | -69.3% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 7.17× | +79.6% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 3.99× | -64.0% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 11.09× | +101.2% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 5.51× | -64.9% |
View all 23 annual observations +
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2017 | 15.68× | -31.8% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 23.00× | +166.1% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 8.64× | -50.0% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 17.27× | +152.7% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 6.83× | -47.4% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 12.99× | +81.1% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 7.17× | -58.3% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 17.19× | +181.9% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 6.10× | -23.3% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 7.95× | -51.1% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 16.25× | +67.2% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 9.72× | -18.8% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 11.97× | +32.3% |
| Dec 31, 2004 | 9.05× | +31.6% |
| Dec 31, 2003 | 6.88× | N/M |
Change is relative to the preceding observation. N/M values are excluded from averages.
How AEL compares
Company P/E vs. peer trailing-12-month ratios
| Company | P/E ratio |
|---|---|
 AEL This stockAmerican Equity Investment Life Holding Company | 27.41× |
 NWLINational Western Life Group, Inc. | 18.72× |
 IHCIndependence Holding Company | 44.54× |
 TPDNFTopdanmark A/S | 30.67× |
 VERYVericity, Inc. | N/M |
 GWGHQGWG Holdings, Inc. | N/M |
 MDWTMidwest Holding Inc. | 128.50× |
 PWFNFPower Financial Corporation | N/M |
 SKRUFScottish Re Group Limited | N/M |
Peers are selected by the data provider. Business models and earnings definitions can differ.
Put the numbers in context
What does AEL’s P/E tell you?
Compare like with like
The median of the 4 positive peer ratios above is 37.60×. Check growth, margins, debt, and earnings quality before interpreting the gap. A faster-growing business may justify a higher multiple.
Check what drives earnings
One-off gains can temporarily lower P/E; unusual charges can raise it. Reported earnings and forward estimates answer different questions. Pair this view with return on equity and liquidity for a fuller picture.
Keep your research connected
Take AEL into your spreadsheet
Pull historical P/E into Excel or Google Sheets with Wisesheets. Build your own comparisons alongside the rest of your financial model.
Explore WisesheetsQuarterly P/E · latest quarterLQ selects the latest reported quarter. Requires the Wisesheets add-in. See available data
=WISE("AEL", "PE Ratio", "LQ")Sources & calculation methodology
Current P/E
Share price 56.47 ÷ EPS 2.06 = 27.41×. Data is supplied by Financial Modeling Prep through Wisesheets. Quote feed updated Nov 4, 2026; this is not a real-time trading quote.
History & averages
Annual and quarterly P/E observations are provided separately from the current quote. Averages use the latest 3, 5, or 10 annual observations, excluding missing and nonpositive ratios. Pre-IPO observations are omitted. These are period-end observations, not daily averages.
Data definitions and limitations
The current quote feed does not specify the exact EPS filing-period end or whether EPS is basic or diluted. We do not label it as forward P/E. Peer ratios are explicitly trailing-12-month (TTM) values. Historical observations do not include independently verified price and EPS inputs. Sources may update on different schedules; rounded inputs can produce small calculation differences. Historical comparisons describe past pricing, not an estimate of fair value.
AEL P/E ratio: common questions
The essentials behind the numbers.
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company's current P/E is 27.41× based on the quote data last updated Nov 4, 2026. It represents the share price divided by reported earnings per share. Prices and earnings may refresh on different schedules.
Annual P/E uses earnings for a completed fiscal year. Trailing-12-month (TTM) P/E uses the latest four quarters, while forward P/E uses forecast earnings. These are not interchangeable. This page labels peer ratios as TTM and shows dated annual or quarterly historical observations; it does not show forward estimates.
N/M means not meaningful: the feed has no positive P/E for that observation. Negative or zero earnings should not be ranked as a low positive valuation multiple. N/M observations are excluded from the averages shown above.
Divide the share price by earnings per share (EPS). For example, a share price of 100 and EPS of 5 gives a P/E of 20×. This page uses the price and EPS supplied together in the quote when both are positive.
Price timestamps, EPS definitions, share classes, adjustments, and fiscal periods can differ. A forward P/E also uses forecast earnings rather than reported earnings. Compare the inputs and as-of dates before comparing two displayed ratios.
Not necessarily. The average describes previous market pricing, not fair value. Changes in earnings quality, growth expectations, debt, accounting, and business risk can justify a different multiple today.