Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. Makes New $11.48 Million Investment in American Water Works Company, Inc. $AWK

Key Points

• Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. has made a significant investment in American Water Works Company, acquiring 77,833 shares valued at approximately $11.48 million.
• American Water Works reported a quarterly EPS of $1.48, missing the consensus estimate of $1.53, while also achieving a revenue of $1.28 billion, surpassing expectations.
• The company recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.8275 per share, resulting in an annual yield of 2.3%.

Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. purchased a new position in shares of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 77,833 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $11,482,000.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cloud Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in American Water Works during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in American Water Works during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Capital A Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in American Water Works during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new stake in American Water Works during the 1st quarter worth about $48,000. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC grew its holdings in American Water Works by 78.3% during the 4th quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC now owns 410 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 180 shares during the period. 86.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Water Works Stock Down 0.3%

NYSE AWK traded down $0.46 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $139.17. The company's stock had a trading volume of 994,551 shares, compared to its average volume of 999,133. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a 52 week low of $118.74 and a 52 week high of $155.50. The company has a market capitalization of $27.15 billion, a PE ratio of 25.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a current ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $142.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $142.63.

American Water Works (NYSE:AWK - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The utilities provider reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.53 by ($0.05). American Water Works had a net margin of 21.91% and a return on equity of 10.34%. The business had revenue of $1.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.22 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.42 EPS. American Water Works's revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. American Water Works has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.700-5.750 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that American Water Works Company, Inc. will post 5.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Water Works Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 12th were given a dividend of $0.8275 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 12th. This represents a $3.31 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. American Water Works's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.64%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have weighed in on AWK. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on American Water Works from $147.00 to $141.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 1st. UBS Group reduced their target price on American Water Works from $156.00 to $151.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Mizuho raised their target price on American Water Works from $148.00 to $149.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Argus raised their target price on American Water Works from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on American Water Works from $138.00 to $128.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and a consensus target price of $143.30.

American Water Works Profile

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.