California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT) Shares Purchased by Aptus Capital Advisors LLC

Aptus Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT - Free Report) by 22.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 124,978 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 22,937 shares during the period. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC owned about 0.21% of California Water Service Group worth $5,665,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in CWT. Parkworth Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in California Water Service Group in the fourth quarter worth approximately $50,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of California Water Service Group by 785.8% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 1,435 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 1,273 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its stake in California Water Service Group by 27.6% in the fourth quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 1,969 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $89,000 after purchasing an additional 426 shares during the last quarter. Millstone Evans Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of California Water Service Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $102,000. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in California Water Service Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $124,000. 82.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on CWT shares. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded California Water Service Group from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on California Water Service Group from $54.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of California Water Service Group from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th.

California Water Service Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE CWT traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $48.56. The stock had a trading volume of 216,406 shares, compared to its average volume of 334,453. The company has a 50 day moving average of $48.48 and a two-hundred day moving average of $47.65. California Water Service Group has a twelve month low of $41.64 and a twelve month high of $56.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.64. The firm has a market cap of $2.89 billion, a PE ratio of 14.03, a PEG ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 0.70.

California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.16 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $203.97 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $194.80 million. California Water Service Group had a net margin of 19.56% and a return on equity of 13.24%. California Water Service Group's quarterly revenue was down 24.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.21 EPS. Research analysts predict that California Water Service Group will post 3.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

California Water Service Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be issued a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 12th. California Water Service Group's payout ratio is 52.63%.

About California Water Service Group

California Water Service Group, through its subsidiaries, provides water utility and other related services in California, Washington, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Texas. The company is involved in the production, purchase, storage, treatment, testing, distribution, and sale of water for domestic, industrial, public, and irrigation uses, as well as for fire protection services.