Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. Invests $4.76 Million in California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT)

Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. purchased a new stake in California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 105,066 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $4,763,000. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. owned about 0.18% of California Water Service Group as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Barclays PLC increased its holdings in shares of California Water Service Group by 135.8% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 119,645 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $6,486,000 after purchasing an additional 68,914 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in California Water Service Group by 117.0% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 58,258 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $3,100,000 after buying an additional 31,412 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in California Water Service Group by 55.7% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 161,661 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $8,765,000 after acquiring an additional 57,811 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of California Water Service Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $234,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its position in shares of California Water Service Group by 205.5% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 31,205 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,415,000 after acquiring an additional 20,991 shares during the last quarter. 82.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

California Water Service Group Trading Down 0.4 %

NYSE CWT traded down $0.22 during trading on Friday, hitting $49.83. The stock had a trading volume of 315,570 shares, compared to its average volume of 332,106. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.40, a P/E/G ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 0.56. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $47.76 and a 200 day simple moving average of $47.88. California Water Service Group has a one year low of $41.64 and a one year 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.

California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.05). California Water Service Group had a net margin of 19.56% and a return on equity of 13.24%. The business had revenue of $222.20 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $216.37 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.52 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that California Water Service Group will post 3.15 earnings per share for the current year.

California Water Service Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th were issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. This is a positive change from California Water Service Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.41%. California Water Service Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CWT has been the topic of a number of research reports. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of California Water Service Group from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded California Water Service Group from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $56.00 to $52.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded California Water Service Group from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, April 11th.

California Water Service Group Company Profile

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.