Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Utility - Water Supply industry is essential for providing clean drinking water and efficient sewer services, with a focus on infrastructure upgrades to meet growing demand and address aging pipelines [1][2][3]. Industry Overview - The industry consists of companies providing drinking water and wastewater services across a vast network of nearly 2.2 million miles of aging pipelines, requiring continuous investment in infrastructure [3]. - Water utilities benefit from lower interest rates, which reduce financing costs and support infrastructure investments [4]. - The U.S. water industry is fragmented, with over 50,000 community water systems and 14,000 wastewater treatment facilities, leading to inefficiencies that consolidation could address [5]. Investment Needs - The U.S. water infrastructure is deteriorating, with an estimated $1.25 trillion needed over the next 20 years for upgrades, while the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has committed $50 billion for improvements [6]. - The American Society of Civil Engineers rates U.S. drinking water infrastructure at C- and wastewater systems at D+, highlighting the urgent need for upgrades [6]. Market Performance - The Zacks Utility Water Supply industry has underperformed compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite and the broader utilities sector over the past 12 months, gaining 6.1% versus 12.5% for the sector and 12.4% for the S&P 500 [11]. - The industry is currently trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 15.89X, lower than the S&P 500's 17.94X and the sector's 15.92X [14]. Earnings Outlook - The Zacks Utility Water Supply industry has a positive earnings outlook, with an aggregate earnings estimate of $2.27 indicating year-over-year growth of 7.1% [9]. - The Zacks Industry Rank 97 places the industry in the top 40% of over 243 Zacks industries, suggesting bullish prospects for the near term [7][8]. Company Highlights - **American States Water Company (AWR)**: Plans to invest $180-$210 million in 2025 for infrastructure upgrades, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 5.65% and a current dividend yield of 2.75% [18][19]. - **American Water Works Company (AWK)**: Aims to invest $3.3 billion in 2025 and $19-$20 billion from 2026 to 2030 for infrastructure strengthening, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 6.77% and a current dividend yield of 2.49% [23][24]. - **Essential Utilities Inc. (WTRG)**: Plans to invest $7.8 billion from 2025 to 2029 for pipeline rehabilitation, with a current dividend yield of 3.42% [27][28].

Core Viewpoint - American States Water (AWR) is focusing on infrastructure upgrades to ensure reliable services for its growing customer base, supported by long-term contracts with military bases, making it a solid investment in the Zacks Utility - Water Supply industry [1][3]. Growth Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AWR's 2025 earnings per share (EPS) has increased by 1.22% to $3.32 over the past 60 days [3]. - The estimated revenue for 2025 is $629 million, indicating a growth of 5.63% from the 2024 reported figure [3]. - AWR's long-term earnings growth rate is projected at 5.65% [3]. - The company has beaten earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 3.63% [3]. Return to Shareholders - AWR has been consistently increasing shareholder value through dividends, currently paying a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share, leading to an annualized dividend of $2.02 [4]. - The current dividend yield stands at 2.68%, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite average of 1.51% [4]. Infrastructure Investment - AWR is planning to invest $573.1 million from 2025 to 2027 to enhance its infrastructure and operations [6]. - New rate filings and subsequent increases are expected to help recover the investment costs and support ongoing infrastructure upgrades [6]. Debt Structure - AWR's total debt to capital ratio is 47.54%, which is better than the industry average of 60.90% [7]. - The times interest earned (TIE) ratio is 4.5, indicating the company can comfortably meet its interest payment obligations [7]. Stock Performance - Over the past month, AWR's shares have decreased by 0.3%, while the industry has seen a decline of 1.2% [8].

Core Insights - Global Water Resources, Inc. (GWRS) reported quarterly earnings of $0.07 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.09 per share, and down from $0.12 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of -22.22% [1] - The company posted revenues of $15.52 million for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.77%, and up from $14.32 million year-over-year [2] - The stock has underperformed the market, losing about 12.4% since the beginning of the year compared to the S&P 500's gain of 16.4% [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $0.05 on revenues of $13.9 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $0.22 on revenues of $55.7 million [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Global Water Resources was mixed ahead of the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) for the stock, indicating expected performance in line with the market [6] Industry Context - The Utility - Water Supply industry, to which Global Water Resources belongs, is currently in the top 22% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8]

Core Insights - York Water (YORW) reported quarterly earnings of $0.43 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.38 per share, and showing an increase from $0.41 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of +13.16% [1] - The company posted revenues of $20.36 million for the quarter ended September 2025, which was 3.04% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but an increase from $19.72 million year-over-year [2] - York Water shares have underperformed the market, losing about 0.9% since the beginning of the year compared to the S&P 500's gain of 15.6% [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.36 on revenues of $20 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.35 on revenues of $78 million [7] - The estimate revisions trend for York Water was mixed ahead of the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) for the stock, indicating expected performance in line with the market [6] Industry Context - The Utility - Water Supply industry, to which York Water belongs, is currently ranked in the top 26% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]

American States Water (AWR) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.06 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.01 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.95 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +4.95%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this water and electric utility would post earnings of $0.92 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.87, delivering a surprise of -5.43%.Over the last fou ...

Core Insights - Essential Utilities (WTRG) reported quarterly earnings of $0.33 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.27 per share, and up from $0.25 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +22.22% [1] - The company posted revenues of $476.97 million for the quarter ended September 2025, slightly missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.06%, but up from $435.26 million year-over-year [2] - Essential Utilities has surpassed consensus EPS estimates in all four of the last quarters and has topped revenue estimates three times during the same period [2] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.42 on revenues of $598.76 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.10 on revenues of $2.37 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Essential Utilities was mixed ahead of the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) for the stock, indicating expected performance in line with the market [6] Market Performance - Essential Utilities shares have increased by approximately 4.9% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 16.5% [3] - The outlook for the Utility - Water Supply industry, where Essential Utilities operates, is currently in the top 26% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable environment for stock performance [8]

Company Overview - American States Water (AWR) operates in the Utilities sector and has experienced a price change of -7.9% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.50 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.82%, which is higher than the Utility - Water Supply industry's yield of 2.53% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.51% [3] Dividend Performance - The annualized dividend of AWR is $2.02, reflecting a 12.8% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, AWR has increased its dividend 5 times, achieving an average annual increase of 8.23% [4] - The current payout ratio for AWR is 58%, indicating that the company pays out 58% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AWR's earnings in 2025 is $3.28 per share, which represents a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 3.47% [5] Investment Considerations - AWR is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [6] - The company is viewed as a solid dividend option, particularly in the context of rising interest rates, where high-yielding stocks may face challenges [6]

Core Insights - Artesian Resources (ARTNA) reported quarterly earnings of $0.68 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.66 per share, and showing an increase from $0.66 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of +3.03% [1] - The company achieved revenues of $30.49 million for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.64% and up from $29.14 million year-over-year [2] - Artesian Resources has outperformed consensus EPS estimates three times in the last four quarters [2] Earnings Outlook - The sustainability of the stock's price movement will depend on management's commentary during the earnings call and future earnings expectations [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.37 on revenues of $28 million, while for the current fiscal year, it is $2.16 on revenues of $112 million [7] Industry Context - The Utility - Water Supply industry, to which Artesian Resources belongs, is currently ranked in the top 17% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook [8] - Empirical research suggests a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can impact stock performance [5] Stock Performance - Artesian Resources shares have increased by approximately 2.7% since the beginning of the year, in contrast to the S&P 500's gain of 17.2% [3] - The estimate revisions trend for Artesian Resources was mixed ahead of the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) for the stock, indicating expected performance in line with the market [6]

Core Insights - California Water Service Group (CWT) reported quarterly earnings of $1.03 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.20 per share, representing an earnings surprise of -14.17% [1] - The company posted revenues of $311.24 million for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.36% and showing an increase from $299.56 million year-over-year [2] - The stock has added about 4.7% since the beginning of the year, underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 17.2% [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.38 on revenues of $235.2 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.41 on revenues of $1.01 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for California Water Service Group was favorable ahead of the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for the stock, indicating expected outperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Utility - Water Supply industry is currently in the top 17% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a positive outlook for stocks within this sector [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]

Core Insights - American Water Works (AWK) reported quarterly earnings of $1.94 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.90 per share, and up from $1.80 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +2.11% [1] - The company generated revenues of $1.45 billion for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.61%, compared to $1.32 billion in the same quarter last year [2] - The stock has increased approximately 8.3% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 17.2% [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.30 on revenues of $1.18 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $5.72 on revenues of $4.87 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for American Water Works was mixed prior to the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) for the stock, indicating expected performance in line with the market [6] Industry Context - The Utility - Water Supply industry, to which American Water Works belongs, is currently ranked in the top 16% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]