American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK) is included among the 12 Best Income Stocks to Buy Now. Utilities Enter ‘Execution and Defense’ Phase as Barclays Lowers AWK Target On December 17, Barclays analyst Nicholas Campanella lowered the firm’s price target on American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK) to $122 from $134 and kept an Underweight rating on the shares. The move came as part of Barclays’ 2026 outlook for the utilities sector. Barclays still holds a positive view on the industry overal ...

Core Investment Activity - Tribune Investment Group established a new position in Core & Main by acquiring 335,000 shares valued at approximately $18.03 million during the third quarter [1][2] - This new position accounts for 8.74% of Tribune's 13F reportable assets under management as of September 30 [3] Company Performance - Core & Main reported a revenue of $7.76 billion and a net income of $435 million for the trailing twelve months [4] - In the fiscal third quarter, sales rose 1.2% year over year to $2.06 billion, with a gross margin of 27.2% [11] - Net income for the quarter climbed to $143 million, adjusted EPS rose to $0.89, and operating cash flow reached $271 million [11] Market Position and Strategy - Core & Main is a leading distributor in the U.S. water and fire protection infrastructure market, focusing on essential utility and construction sectors [6] - The company operates a distribution-focused business model, generating revenue primarily through the sale of infrastructure products and value-added services [9] - Core & Main's strategic focus on aging water infrastructure and disciplined capital returns supports its resilience in varying economic cycles [12]

Core Investment Overview - NIA Impact Advisors initiated a position in Core & Main by acquiring 66,437 shares valued at approximately $3.58 million after the stock dropped nearly 20% in a single day during Q3 2025 [1][2] - This new position represents 1.2% of NIA's total reportable U.S. equity holdings of $307.72 million as of September 30, 2025 [3] Company Performance Metrics - As of December 10, 2025, Core & Main's stock price was $55.19, reflecting a 3% increase over the past year, but underperforming the S&P 500 by 10 percentage points [3] - Core & Main has a market capitalization of $10.52 billion, with trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue of $7.74 billion and net income of $431 million [4][5] Industry Position and Strategy - Core & Main is a leading distributor of water, wastewater, and fire protection infrastructure products in the U.S., serving municipalities, private water companies, and contractors [5][7] - The company operates in a highly fragmented industry, with the top two players controlling one-third of the market, presenting acquisition opportunities [10] - Core & Main's strategic focus on essential utility markets and specialized services supports a resilient business model [8] Financial Metrics and Valuation - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 24 and an enterprise value to EBITDA multiple of 13, indicating a valuation that is cheaper than the broader market [3][12] - Core & Main's return on invested capital has consistently been above 10%, showcasing its effectiveness as a profitable acquirer and integrator of businesses [11]

Core Insights - Core & Main, Inc. (CNM) is a leading distributor in the water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products sector in the United States, serving municipalities, private water companies, and professional contractors [1] - CNM reported earnings per share of $0.89, exceeding the estimated $0.73, and revenue of approximately $2.06 billion, slightly above the estimated $2.05 billion [6] Financial Performance - The company's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is around 22.57, indicating that investors are willing to pay $22.57 for every $1 of earnings [2] - CNM's price-to-sales ratio stands at about 1.26, showing that investors are paying $1.26 for every dollar of sales [3] - The enterprise value to sales ratio is around 1.57, reflecting the company's total valuation compared to its sales [3] - The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is approximately 19.71, indicating the relationship between the company's valuation and its cash flow from operations [4] - The earnings yield is about 4.43%, providing insight into the return on investment for shareholders [4] Financial Health - The company's debt-to-equity ratio is approximately 1.23, highlighting its financial leverage [5] - The current ratio of about 2.26 suggests that CNM has more than twice the current assets compared to its current liabilities, indicating good short-term financial health [5]

Core Viewpoint - Companies with a strong history of dividend payments and increases are attractive to income-focused investors, with Open Text, Restaurant Brands, and Essential Utilities recently announcing dividend hikes and offering yields over 3% [1] Open Text - Open Text Corp. is an information management software company that assists businesses in organizing, storing, and protecting data [2] - The company has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years, with a recent increase of 5% to $0.2750 per share, translating to an annual payout of $1.10 per share [3] - The current dividend yield for Open Text is 3.30% [3] - As of September 30, the company's annual revenue was $5.19 billion, and it reported Q1 2026 revenues of $1.29 billion and EPS of $1.05, both exceeding consensus estimates [4] Restaurant Brands International - Restaurant Brands International Inc. operates well-known quick-service restaurant brands including Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs [5] - The company has increased its dividends for 10 consecutive years, with a recent hike from $0.58 to $0.62 per share, equating to an annual payout of $2.48 per share [6] - The current dividend yield for Restaurant Brands is 3.65% [6] - As of September 30, the company's annual revenue was $9.26 billion, and it reported Q3 2025 EPS of $1.03 and revenues of $2.45 billion, both surpassing consensus estimates [7] Essential Utilities - Essential Utilities Inc. provides water, wastewater, and natural gas services in the U.S. [7] - The company has increased its dividends for 34 consecutive years, with a recent hike of 5.25% to $0.3426 per share, resulting in an annual payout of $1.37 per share [8] - The current dividend yield for Essential Utilities is 3.54% [8]

Core Points - Core & Main, Inc. has updated the timing for its fiscal 2025 third quarter results conference call, which will take place on December 9, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. ET [1][2] - The financial results will be released before the market opens on the same day [1] - A live webcast of the call will be available on the company's investor relations website, with a replay accessible afterward [3] Company Overview - Core & Main is a leading specialty distributor focused on advancing reliable infrastructure with local service across the U.S. [4] - The company specializes in water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products, serving municipalities, private water companies, and contractors [4] - Core & Main operates over 370 locations nationwide and employs approximately 5,700 associates [4]

Core Insights - Dycom Industries, Inc. has appointed Stephen O. LeClair to its Board of Directors effective November 7, 2025 [1] - LeClair is currently the Executive Chair and Executive Director of Core & Main Inc., bringing extensive experience in infrastructure and industrial distribution [3][5] - His leadership at Core & Main included overseeing significant growth and the successful IPO in 2021 after the company's separation from HD Supply [5] Leadership Impact - Richard K. Sykes, Dycom's Independent Chairman, expressed confidence that LeClair's strategic execution and value creation will benefit Dycom's growth and shareholder value [4] - Dan Peyovich, Dycom's President and CEO, highlighted LeClair's operational excellence and financial performance in complex markets as a strong complement to Dycom's objectives [4] Professional Background - LeClair has over a decade of senior executive experience at HD Supply, including roles as Chief Operating Officer and President of HD Supply Waterworks [6] - He also held senior positions at General Electric, contributing to his extensive background in distribution, manufacturing, and sales [6][7] - LeClair has been a board member of AAON, Inc. since 2017 and holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering [7] Company Overview - Dycom is a leading provider of specialty contracting services for telecommunications infrastructure and utility industries in the U.S., offering a range of services including program management, engineering, and construction [8]

Core Viewpoint - Global Water Resources, Inc. will hold a conference call on November 13, 2025, to discuss its third-quarter financial results for the period ending September 30, 2025 [1] Company Overview - Global Water Resources, Inc. is a leading water resource management company that operates 39 systems providing water, wastewater, and recycled water services, primarily in growth corridors around metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson [3] - The company recycles over 1 billion gallons of water annually, totaling 18.5 billion gallons recycled since 2004 [3] Total Water Management (TWM) - The company has effectively implemented Total Water Management (TWM), an integrated approach to managing the entire water cycle, which maximizes the beneficial use of recycled water [4] - TWM enables smart water management programs, including remote metering infrastructure and advanced technologies, leading to real conservation and protection of water supplies in water-scarce areas [4] Industry Recognition - Global Water has received numerous awards, including national recognition as a 'Utility of the Future Today' for its superior water reuse practices [5] - The company also received the Cityworks' Excellence in Departmental Practice Award for demonstrating leadership in public asset management strategies [5]

Core Insights - Core & Main Inc. (NYSE:CNM) is expanding its operations in Canada by acquiring Canada Waterworks, enhancing its growth potential in the region [1][3] - The acquisition is seen as a strategic move to build the Core & Main platform in Canada, particularly in Ontario [2][3] - Canada Waterworks specializes in water, wastewater, and storm drainage distribution in southern Ontario, which aligns with Core & Main's service offerings [3] Company Overview - Core & Main distributes water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products and related services primarily in the US [3] - The acquisition of Canada Waterworks will allow Core & Main to maintain a local presence in Canada while leveraging its resources for growth [3] Market Position - The company is recognized as a promising stock under $100, indicating potential investment interest [1] - While Core & Main shows promise, there are suggestions that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [4]

Core Insights - Global Water Resources, Inc. has been invited to present at the Janney Water Utilities Conference on September 17, 2025, highlighting its role in the water resource management sector [1][3]. Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, the company reported a revenue increase of 5.4% to $14.2 million, with net income at $0.06 per share, supporting its monthly-paid dividend of $0.30396 per share on an annualized basis [4]. Market Position and Strategy - The company is recognized for its leadership in utility consolidation, automation, and water resource management, with an active M&A program expanding its portfolio in major metro growth corridors around Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona [5]. Water Management Practices - Global Water Resources operates 39 systems providing water, wastewater, and recycled water services, recycling over 1 billion gallons of water annually, totaling 18.5 billion gallons since 2004 [8]. Recognition and Awards - The company has received national recognition as a 'Utility of the Future Today' for its effective water reuse practices and has been awarded for its leadership in public asset management strategies [10][11]. Total Water Management (TWM) - The company implements Total Water Management (TWM), an integrated approach to managing the entire water cycle, which enhances the beneficial use of recycled water and promotes smart water management programs [9].