Element Capital Management LLC Makes New $2.85 Million Investment in American Water Works Company, Inc. $AWK

Key Points

• Element Capital Management LLC has acquired a new stake in American Water Works, purchasing 19,327 shares valued at approximately $2.85 million, making it the fund's 4th largest position.
• American Water Works announced a quarterly dividend of $0.8275, with an annualized dividend yield of 2.3%, set to be paid on September 3rd to shareholders of record on August 12th.
• The company's recent earnings report showed an EPS of $1.48, missing estimates, while revenue increased by 11.1% year-over-year, totaling $1.28 billion.

Element Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 19,327 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,851,000. American Water Works makes up 0.7% of Element Capital Management LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest holding.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of AWK. PFG Advisors lifted its stake in shares of American Water Works by 33.4% in the first quarter. PFG Advisors now owns 9,699 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,431,000 after buying an additional 2,429 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of American Water Works by 2.1% during the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 124,352 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $18,344,000 after acquiring an additional 2,570 shares in the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. raised its holdings in American Water Works by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 10,547 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,556,000 after acquiring an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its position in American Water Works by 45.2% in the 1st quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,326 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $342,000 after acquiring an additional 724 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. boosted its stake in American Water Works by 21.5% during the 1st quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 7,692 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,135,000 after purchasing an additional 1,359 shares during the last quarter. 86.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Water Works

In related news, CAO Melissa K. Wikle sold 2,825 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $143.28, for a total value of $404,766.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 7,572 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,084,916.16. This represents a 27.17% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.11% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AWK has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Mizuho boosted their price target on American Water Works from $148.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Argus lifted their price objective on American Water Works from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of American Water Works from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of American Water Works from $156.00 to $151.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of American Water Works from $139.00 to $148.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Reduce" and an average target price of $143.30.

American Water Works Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AWK traded up $0.2410 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $145.4510. The company had a trading volume of 1,107,423 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,652,327. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a 12 month low of $118.74 and a 12 month high of $155.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.44 and a beta of 0.65. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $141.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of $140.83.

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

American Water Works Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 12th will be given a dividend of $0.8275 per share. This represents a $3.31 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 12th. American Water Works's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 59.64%.

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.