CenterBook Partners LP Makes New $1.12 Million Investment in American States Water Company (NYSE:AWR)

CenterBook Partners LP acquired a new stake in American States Water Company (NYSE:AWR - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 14,168 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,115,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of American States Water by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 5,670 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $441,000 after buying an additional 268 shares during the period. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC acquired a new position in American States Water during the first quarter worth $472,000. Advisor Resource Council acquired a new position in American States Water during the first quarter worth $402,000. Buck Wealth Strategies LLC raised its holdings in American States Water by 11.4% during the first quarter. Buck Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 56,702 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $4,461,000 after purchasing an additional 5,801 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Perpetual Ltd raised its holdings in American States Water by 41.8% during the first quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 152,187 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $11,974,000 after purchasing an additional 44,834 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.24% of the company's stock.

American States Water Stock Performance

Shares of AWR traded up $0.15 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $75.66. The stock had a trading volume of 213,953 shares, compared to its average volume of 218,427. The company has a market cap of $2.91 billion, a PE ratio of 23.28, a PEG ratio of 4.08 and a beta of 0.61. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $77.55 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $76.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. American States Water Company has a fifty-two week low of $70.30 and a fifty-two week high of $87.50.

American States Water (NYSE:AWR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.70. American States Water had a return on equity of 13.45% and a net margin of 20.22%. The business had revenue of $148.01 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $142.00 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.62 EPS. The business's revenue was up 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that American States Water Company will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current year.

American States Water Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 19th were given a dividend of $0.4655 per share. This represents a $1.86 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 19th. American States Water's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 57.23%.

Insider Activity

In other American States Water news, Director Thomas A. Eichelberger purchased 897 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 6th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $76.81 per share, for a total transaction of $68,898.57. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 8,467 shares of the company's stock, valued at $650,350.27. This represents a 11.85% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.83% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of American States Water from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and upped their target price for the company from $76.00 to $84.00 in a report on Thursday, May 8th.

About American States Water

American States Water Company, through its subsidiaries, provides water and electric services to residential, commercial, industrial, and other customers in the United States. It operates through three segments: Water, Electric, and Contracted Services. The company purchases, produces, distributes, and sells water, as well as distributes electricity.