Paragon Capital Management Inc. Acquires New Stake in American Water Works Company, Inc. $AWK

Paragon Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 5,885 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $762,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in AWK. Reflection Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of American Water Works in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Ascentis Independent Advisors purchased a new stake in American Water Works in the first quarter worth $27,000. MV Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in American Water Works in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Harborfront Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in American Water Works in the second quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Global Assets Advisory LLC bought a new position in American Water Works in the first quarter worth $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.58% of the company’s stock.

American Water Works Stock Performance

Shares of AWK opened at $133.01 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $134.90 and its 200-day moving average price is $131.93. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a 52 week low of $120.57 and a 52 week high of $145.64. The stock has a market cap of $26.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.05, a P/E/G ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.58.

American Water Works (NYSE:AWK) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The utilities provider reported $1.61 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. American Water Works had a return on equity of 10.20% and a net margin of 21.35%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.48 EPS. American Water Works has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.020-6.120 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that American Water Works Company, Inc. will post 6.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Water Works Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 11th were paid a $0.8950 dividend. This represents a $3.58 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 11th. American Water Works’s dividend payout ratio is currently 62.05%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AWK has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen raised American Water Works from a “strong sell” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Barclays upped their target price on shares of American Water Works from $124.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of American Water Works from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of American Water Works from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. Finally, Bank of America reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of American Water Works in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $138.25.

About American Water Works

American Water Works Company, Inc is a public water and wastewater utility that provides essential services to residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in the United States. Through its regulated operations, the company collects, treats, distributes, and manages drinking water, as well as collects and treats wastewater.

The company also provides services through businesses that support utilities, municipalities, military installations, and other public-sector customers.