Aristotle Atlantic Partners LLC Sells 3,567 Shares of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK)

Aristotle Atlantic Partners LLC cut its stake in American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK - Free Report) by 5.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 64,697 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 3,567 shares during the period. Aristotle Atlantic Partners LLC's holdings in American Water Works were worth $8,054,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Barclays PLC grew its stake in American Water Works by 1.0% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 376,348 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $55,037,000 after purchasing an additional 3,560 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of American Water Works in the 3rd quarter worth about $716,000. Synovus Financial Corp purchased a new position in American Water Works during the 3rd quarter valued at about $221,000. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in American Water Works by 3.0% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,034,221 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $145,170,000 after acquiring an additional 29,961 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in American Water Works by 129.6% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 502,391 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $73,470,000 after acquiring an additional 283,579 shares in the last quarter. 86.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

American Water Works Stock Performance

AWK traded up $1.10 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $148.21. 841,799 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,204,508. The company's 50-day moving average is $143.95 and its 200 day moving average is $134.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.90 billion, a PE ratio of 27.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.73. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a 52 week low of $118.74 and a 52 week high of $155.50.

American Water Works (NYSE:AWK - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The utilities provider reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.06 by ($0.01). American Water Works had a net margin of 22.44% and a return on equity of 10.29%. The company had revenue of $1.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.95 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that American Water Works Company, Inc. will post 5.71 EPS for the current year.

American Water Works Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 3rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 13th will be issued a $0.8275 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 13th. This represents a $3.31 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.23%. This is a positive change from American Water Works's previous quarterly dividend of $0.77. American Water Works's payout ratio is presently 60.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of American Water Works from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on American Water Works from $139.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a report on Friday. Barclays initiated coverage on American Water Works in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set an "underweight" rating and a $138.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on American Water Works from $147.00 to $128.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. Finally, UBS Group downgraded shares of American Water Works from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $143.22.

About American Water Works

American Water Works Company, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides water and wastewater services in the United States. It offers water and wastewater services to approximately 1,700 communities in 14 states serving approximately 3.5 million active customers. The company serves residential customers; commercial customers, including food and beverage providers, commercial property developers and proprietors, and energy suppliers; fire service and private fire customers; industrial customers, such as large-scale manufacturers, mining, and production operations; public authorities comprising government buildings and other public sector facilities, such as schools and universities; and other utilities and community water and wastewater systems.