New Jersey American Water to Invest $7 Million in Infrastructure in First Five Years CAMDEN, N.J., Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- New Jersey American Water announced today it signed an agreement to acquire the water system in Hopewell Borough for $6.4 million. This announcement follows a referendum vote in November of 2025 in which 58% of Hopewell voters approved the sale of the system. The Hopewell water system serves over 880 customer connections. "We are honored to earn the trust of Hopewell Borough and i ...

Recipients include 20 nonprofit organizations across the Camden community Since 2012, the Foundation has invested more than $20 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. Learn more about this year's grant recipients, the American Water Charitable Foundation, and the 2025 Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program here. Earlier this year, American Water released its 2024 Camden Community Investment Report, reaffirming its commi ...

BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) today announced the successful results of its 2025-2026 United Way campaign and its fifth annual Fall for Food Banks initiative. The two company-wide efforts mobilized employees across its nine-state footprint, resulting in donations totaling $1,277,325 to support local communities facing food insecurity and other challenges. Through the United Way campaign, more than $755,000 was raised through individual pledges from emplo. ...

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outc ...

West Virginia's Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Received Low Marks from ASCE CHARLESTON, W.Va., Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --Today, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its 2025 Report Card for West Virginia's Infrastructure. Drinking water infrastructure in the state received a D+, with wastewater infrastructure receiving a D. Scott Wyman, President of West Virginia American Water, issued the following statement in response: "West Virginia's lagging infrastructure grades are a clear ...

Market Overview - The U.S. market has shown volatility, with returns of 19.2% for the Nasdaq Composite, 15.8% for the S&P 500, and 13.7% for the Dow Jones Industrial Average over the past year [1] - Concerns are rising regarding the moderating pace of the economy, influenced by a cooling labor market and high valuations in the technology sector [1] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point in December to support the job market and stimulate growth, with inflation trending near the 2% target [2] - The Fed has reduced borrowing costs three times this year, bringing the overnight borrowing rate to a range of 3.50-3.75% [2] Labor Market Conditions - The job market is showing signs of cooling, with softer hiring, rising unemployment at 4.6%, and a narrowing gap in job openings [3] - Nonfarm payrolls increased by 64,000 jobs in November after a decline of 105,000 jobs in October, the largest drop since December 2020 [3] Investment Opportunities - Investors looking to diversify can consider dividend-paying stocks, which indicate a healthy business model and tend to outperform non-dividend-paying stocks in volatile markets [4] - Notable dividend-paying companies include: - **Pentair (PNR)**: Declared a dividend of 27 cents per share with a yield of 1% and a payout ratio of 21% [5][6] - **nVent Electric (NVT)**: Declared a dividend of 21 cents per share with a yield of 0.8% and a payout ratio of 26% [7][8] - **CenterPoint Energy (CNP)**: Declared a dividend of 23 cents per share with a yield of 2.3% and a payout ratio of 51% [10][11][12] - **Marriott Vacations Worldwide (VAC)**: Declared a dividend of 80 cents per share with a yield of 5.5% and a payout ratio of 44% [10][13][14] - **PG&E (PCG)**: Declared a dividend of 5 cents per share with a yield of 0.7% and a payout ratio of 7% [15]

Core Insights - Cathay General Bancorp shows steady balance sheet growth with deposits of $20.52 billion (up 2.6%) and loans of $20.10 billion (up 1.6%), alongside a ROE of 10.6% and a net interest margin of 3.31% [1] - Non-accrual loans increased to 0.84% of total loans, primarily due to a single $38 million relationship, but the bank maintains strong collateral coverage with an average loan-to-value ratio of 49% [2] - The bank's payout ratio is at 7.9% of earnings, allowing for significant dividend growth potential, with a $125 million buyback program in place [3][4] Financial Performance - Cathay reported Q3 net income of $77.7 million despite missing earnings estimates, with a market cap of $3.48 billion [4] - The bank recorded a $14.5 million provision for credit losses in Q3, raising the reserve-to-loan ratio to 0.85% [2] - The bank's efficiency ratio stands at 59.76% and Tier 1 capital at 13.15% [12] Dividend and Share Repurchase Strategy - Management plans to continue repurchasing approximately $35 million per quarter through Q1 2025, having repurchased $50.1 million in stock at an average cost of $42 per share during Q3 [3] - The bank's conservative payout ratio and management's decision to resume dividend growth signal confidence in sustained profitability [13] Market Position - Cathay General Bancorp offers the lowest yield at 0.67%, reflecting exceptional financial discipline [4] - The bank's strong operational metrics and conservative payout policies position it favorably among regional banks [4][12]

American Water Charitable Foundation pilots utility hardship assistance program CAMDEN, N.J., Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., provides customers with greater flexibility to pay their water and wastewater bill, adding additional payment options on its online customer portal, MyWater, and in person by scanning their bill's unique barcode at participating stores, such as Walmart, CVS, Family Dollar and more. "Amer ...

Core Insights - The U.S. Federal Reserve has lowered the interest rate benchmark by 25 basis points to a target range of 3.50-3.75%, marking the third reduction in 2025, aimed at supporting a cooling labor market [1][2] Interest Rate Impact on Utilities - Lower interest rates create a favorable environment for capital-intensive sectors like utilities, which require significant funding for infrastructure and operations [2] - The utility sector has an inverse correlation with interest rates; rate cuts reduce the cost of servicing debt, enhancing profit margins and cash flows for utility companies [3] - As interest rates fall, utility stocks become more attractive to income-focused investors, leading to increased demand for high-dividend sectors like utilities [4] Investment Case for Utilities - The combination of lower financing costs, stable cash flows, and rising electricity demand from AI data centers strengthens the investment case for utilities amid macroeconomic uncertainty [5] - Investing in diversified Utility ETFs is recommended over individual utility stocks to mitigate risks associated with regulatory changes and company-specific issues [6] Utility ETFs Overview - Utility ETFs provide a one-stop solution for investors, offering exposure to a broad range of companies in the utilities sector while ensuring superior liquidity and lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds [7] Recommended Utility ETFs - **Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF (FUTY)**: Net assets of $2.25 billion, exposure to 67 utility stocks, year-to-date gain of 17.1%, fees of 8 bps [9] - **State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU)**: AUM of $22.16 billion, exposure to 31 companies, year-to-date gain of 16.6%, fees of 8 bps [10][11] - **iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (IDU)**: Net assets of $1.78 billion, exposure to 44 companies, year-to-date gain of 15.7%, fees of 38 bps [12] - **Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU)**: Net assets of $8.3 billion, exposure to 68 companies, year-to-date gain of 17.1%, fees of 9 bps [13] - **Invesco Dorsey Wright Utilities Momentum ETF (PUI)**: Market value of $51.5 million, exposure to 35 companies, year-to-date gain of 16.8%, fees of 81 bps [14][15]

12月4日，据浙江政务信息通报，浙江省水利厅在水利基础设施统计、产权登记、管理等方面工作成效 显著。 加快产权登记，促进资产盘活。依托本次资产盘点建立的资产台账，为产权确认与登记提供关键支持， 加快相关权证办理进度。目前浙江省已办理水利基础设施不动产权证书 1380 件，较 2022年底（盘点 前）的 103 件增长约 12.4 倍，有力夯实地方政府盘活资产基础。 全面清查家底，规范资产入账。浙江省水利厅制定核算标准与实操手册，确保全省首次水利基础设施资 产全量盘点工作统一规范、资产入账精准到位。截至目前，浙江省（宁波除外）已登记资产 56367 处， 涉及资产原值 2723 亿元，进一步反映水利基础设施"家底"。 率先建章立制，促进规范管理。浙江省率先出台全国首个省级水利资产管理规范性文件——《浙江省水 利基础设施资产管理暂行办法》，从资产配置、使用、处置等各个环节加强管理，定期对水利基础设施 资产进行盘点、对账，推动全省水利资产从"重建轻管"向"建管并重"转变。 ...