American Water (NYSE:AWK) was upgraded by analysts at Janney Montgomery Scott from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report issued on Monday. The brokerage currently has a $92.00 price target on the utilities provider’s stock, up from their prior price target of $87.00. Janney Montgomery Scott’s price objective points to a potential upside of 12.73% from the company’s previous close. The analysts noted that the move was a valuation call.
Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. ValuEngine raised American Water from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, April 2nd. UBS lifted their target price on American Water from $89.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, March 23rd. HSBC raised American Water from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $74.63 to $80.15 in a report on Friday, March 23rd. Argus lifted their target price on American Water from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, December 29th. Finally, Zacks Investment Research raised American Water from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $101.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. The company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $89.52.
Shares of AWK opened at $81.61 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $14,437.71, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.69, a P/E/G ratio of 3.32 and a beta of 0.16. American Water has a 12 month low of $74.63 and a 12 month high of $92.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a current ratio of 0.31.
Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Resources Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of American Water in the 4th quarter worth about $152,000. Truewealth LLC bought a new position in shares of American Water in the 4th quarter worth about $189,000. Lakeview Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of American Water in the 4th quarter worth about $214,000. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. bought a new position in shares of American Water in the 4th quarter worth about $218,000. Finally, Haverford Trust Co. bought a new position in shares of American Water in the 4th quarter worth about $221,000. 84.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
About American Water
American Water Works Company, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides water and wastewater services in the United States and Canada. It offers water and wastewater services to approximately 1,600 communities in 16 states. The company operates approximately 72 surface water treatment plants; 527 groundwater treatment plants; 8 combined treatment plants; 127 wastewater treatment plants; 50,382 miles of transmission, distribution, and collection mains and pipes; 1,103 groundwater wells; 1,428 water and wastewater pumping stations; 1,313 treated water storage facilities; and 80 dams.
Receive News & Ratings for American Water Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Water and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
