SJW (US:SJW) ZACKSยท2024-12-02 14:10Core Viewpoint - SJW Group is positioned as a strong investment option in the utility sector due to its strategic investments in infrastructure and acquisitions in water and wastewater systems, which are expected to enhance its performance [1] Growth Projections & Surprise History - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SJW's fourth-quarter 2024 earnings per share (EPS) has increased by 1.9% to 55 cents over the past 30 days [2] - The estimated revenue for 2024 is $715.23 million, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 6.7% [2] - SJW's long-term earnings growth rate is projected at 6.07%, with an average earnings surprise of 4.3% over the last four quarters [2] Debt Position - SJW Group's total debt to capital ratio stands at 57.1%, which is better than the sector average of 59.37% [3] - The time-to-interest earned ratio is 2.4, indicating the company's capability to meet future interest obligations comfortably [3] Dividend History - SJW has a strong dividend history, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 6% in dividends over the past five years [4] - The company has paid dividends for 80 consecutive years, with increases for the past 56 years [4] - The current quarterly dividend is 40 cents per share, leading to an annualized dividend of $1.60 and a dividend yield of 2.87%, surpassing the S&P 500 composite's yield of 1.19% [4] Systematic Investments - SJW Group has invested nearly $252 million year-to-date, which is approximately 76% of its $332 million budget for 2024 [5] - The company plans to invest over $1.6 billion in the next five years to enhance its water and wastewater operations [5] Stock Price Performance - Over the past month, SJW's stock has returned 2.2%, outperforming the industry's growth of 1.4% [6]