American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK) is one of the best infrastructure stocks to buy right now. On February 10, shareholders of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK) and Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) approved merger-related proposals at special meetings held that day. American Water Works (AWK) Expands Scale with Essential Utilities Merger According to American Water, at least 99% of its shares present voted to approve share issuance for the merger. Nearly 95% of Essential Utiliti ...

Core Viewpoint - Essential Utilities Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3426 per share, payable on June 1, 2026, to shareholders of record on May 12, 2026, continuing its long-standing tradition of dividend payments [1][1]. Company Overview - Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) provides safe, clean, and reliable services, focusing on water, wastewater, and natural gas, serving approximately 5.5 million people across nine states [1][1]. - The company has paid consecutive quarterly cash dividends for 80 years and has increased its dividend 35 times in the last 34 years, indicating a strong commitment to returning value to shareholders [1][1]. Recent Developments - Essential Utilities is set to report its financial results for the full year 2025 on February 25, 2026, with a conference call scheduled for February 26, 2026, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time [1][1]. - The company has appointed Alexis Rodriguez as Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development, who will lead the execution of strategic initiatives and growth opportunities for Aqua [1][1].

Core Viewpoint - American Water Works Company, Inc. and Essential Utilities, Inc. have received overwhelming shareholder approval for their proposed merger, with approximately 99% of American Water's shares and nearly 95% of Essential Utilities' shares voting in favor of the transaction [1]. Company Overview - American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., serving over 14 million people across 14 states and 18 military installations [1]. - Essential Utilities provides water, wastewater, and natural gas services to approximately 5.5 million people across nine states, focusing on sustainable growth and operational excellence [1]. Merger Details - The merger is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals [1]. - The merger will enhance the combined company's ability to deliver reliable services and improve operational efficiencies [1]. Shareholder Support - Shareholders of both companies expressed strong confidence in the merger, indicating a positive outlook for the transaction [1].

Summary of Essential Utilities Special Meeting Company Overview - **Company**: Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) - **Meeting Date**: February 10, 2026 - **Participants**: Chairman, President, and CEO Christopher H. Franklin, along with other board members and executives Key Points Meeting Structure and Procedures - The meeting was conducted in a structured manner to ensure fairness and order among shareholders [2][3] - The notice of the special meeting was distributed on December 31, 2025, to shareholders of record as of December 29, 2025 [4] - A quorum was established with 215,733,938 shares represented, which is a majority of the 283,082,809 shares entitled to vote [6] Proposals Discussed 1. **Merger Agreement Proposal**: Approval of the merger agreement and related transactions [8] 2. **Merger-Related Compensation Proposal**: Non-binding advisory vote on compensation for named executive officers related to the merger [8] 3. **Adjournment Proposal**: Approval to adjourn the meeting if necessary to solicit additional proxies [9] Voting Results - **Merger Agreement Proposal**: Approved with approximately 203,644,509 shares voting in favor, representing about 94.8% of votes cast [12] - **Merger-Related Compensation Proposal**: Approved with approximately 181,618,535 shares voting in favor, representing about 84.18% of votes cast [12][13] - The Adjournment Proposal was not presented as the merger agreement was approved [13] Final Remarks - The final results of the meeting will be reported on a Form 8-K filed with the SEC within four business days [14] - The meeting concluded with thanks to shareholders for their support of the merger and the company [14][15] Additional Important Information - The meeting adhered to Pennsylvania law and the company's bylaws regarding shareholder voting and quorum requirements [5][6] - The presence of the Inspector of Elections ensured the integrity of the voting process [4][12]

Group 1 - The article discusses the profitability of regulated utilities, highlighting that while they do not grow quickly or attract significant media attention, they tend to be highly profitable businesses [1] - Essential Utilities (WTRG) is specifically mentioned as an example of a company in this sector, reinforcing the notion that "boring" businesses can yield substantial returns [1] Group 2 - The author emphasizes the importance of data-driven insights in maximizing profitability, indicating a trend towards analytical approaches in financial decision-making [1]

Core Viewpoint - Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) is set to report its earnings for the full year 2025 on February 25, 2026, after market close [1] Group 1 - The company's conference call with financial analysts is scheduled for February 26, 2026, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time [1] - The conference call and presentation will be available for live streaming on the company's website [1] - An archive of the conference call will be accessible in the Investor Relations section [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the appeal of Dividend Champions, which are companies with at least 25 consecutive years of dividend growth, especially when they are trading at a discount [1]. Group 1 - The author has been involved in dividend investing since 2009 and has documented their journey towards financial independence through a blog focused on dividend growth investing [1]. - The author expresses a personal connection to the Seeking Alpha community and highlights their role as an analyst [1]. Group 2 - The article does not provide specific financial data or performance metrics related to the companies mentioned [2].

Core Viewpoint - Essential Utilities Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3426 per share, reflecting its long-standing commitment to returning value to shareholders through consistent dividend payments [1] Group 1: Dividend Information - The quarterly cash dividend is payable on March 2, 2026, to shareholders of record on February 9, 2026 [1] - Essential Utilities has a history of paying consecutive quarterly cash dividends for 80 years and has increased its dividend 35 times in the last 34 years [1] Group 2: Company Overview - Essential Utilities, Inc. focuses on delivering safe, clean, and reliable services, primarily in water, wastewater, and natural gas sectors [2] - The company is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, and providing a superior customer experience [2] - Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across nine states under the Aqua and Peoples brands, making it one of the significant publicly traded providers in the U.S. [3]

Core Perspective - Demand for water, wastewater, and gas services remains constant due to essential needs, supported by regulatory frameworks that allow companies to earn stable revenues [1] Company Insights - The company operates in a regulated environment that ensures consistent demand for its services, which is crucial for financial stability and growth [1] Industry Analysis - The water and gas sectors are characterized by steady demand, making them resilient against economic fluctuations, thus presenting a stable investment opportunity [1]

Core Perspective - Demand for water, wastewater, and gas services remains constant due to essential needs, providing a reliable revenue stream for companies in this sector [1]. Company Insights - The regulatory environment supports companies in earning consistent profits, enhancing their financial stability [1].