GQG Partners LLC Boosts Stake in American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK)

Key Points

• GQG Partners LLC has increased its holdings in American Water Works by 126.7% during the first quarter, now owning approximately $6.80 million worth of shares.
• Analysts have mixed views on American Water Works, with price targets ranging from $128 to $149 and an average rating of "Hold."
• American Water Works recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.8275, reflecting an annualized yield of 2.3%.

GQG Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK - Free Report) by 126.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 46,105 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 25,770 shares during the period. GQG Partners LLC's holdings in American Water Works were worth $6,801,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of American Water Works during the first quarter valued at approximately $218,000. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Water Works by 81.1% in the first quarter. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 699 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $103,000 after purchasing an additional 313 shares during the period. National Pension Service boosted its holdings in shares of American Water Works by 5.1% in the first quarter. National Pension Service now owns 242,134 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $35,720,000 after purchasing an additional 11,745 shares during the period. MSH Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Water Works by 2.6% in the first quarter. MSH Capital Advisors LLC now owns 18,273 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $2,696,000 after purchasing an additional 470 shares during the period. Finally, Prudential PLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Water Works by 360.5% in the first quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 80,362 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $11,855,000 after purchasing an additional 62,912 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.58% of the company's stock.

American Water Works Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of AWK stock traded up $0.38 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $143.79. 923,760 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,674,240. The stock's 50 day moving average is $141.71 and its 200-day moving average is $140.52. The company has a market cap of $28.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.91, a P/E/G ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $118.74 and a fifty-two week high of $155.50.

American Water Works (NYSE:AWK - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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 business had revenue of $1.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.22 billion. American Water Works had a return on equity of 10.34% and a net margin of 21.91%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.42 earnings per share. Analysts predict that American Water Works Company, Inc. will post 5.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Water Works Announces Dividend

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

Insider Buying and Selling at American Water Works

In other American Water Works 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 sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,572 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,084,916.16. This represents a 27.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.11% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

American Water Works Company 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.